Christie vows to cut red tape and address other impediments to growth
Gov. Chris Christie gestures at a news conference in this December 2010 photo.NEWARK — Gov. Chris Christie said he will act on business leaders’ concerns that the state’s tax structure is keeping companies from expanding in New Jersey.
Christie has made improving the business climate a priority, and vowed Thursday to cut red tape and address other impediments to growth.
The governor will travel to Chicago today, he said, as part of his efforts to recruit more businesses to the state.
"Both New Jersey and Illinois are providing business leaders with certainty," Christie said at a business symposium in Newark. "In New Jersey you can be certain taxes are going down over the next three years, and in Illinois you can be certain they are going up."
The governor’s office would not provide details of the trip.
"The purpose of the trip is for the governor to meet personally with Illinois business leaders about the current economic climate, challenges and obstacles they are facing," said spokesman Michael Drewniak. "This is not a grandstanding or media event. He wants to be able to have frank but private discussions with business leaders."
Business leaders from several industries at the symposium, hosted by Rutgers Business School and moderated by Fox News’ Neil Cavuto, praised the progress New Jersey has made thus far in improving the business climate.
"It really is palpable how much enthusiasm there is around what is going on in the state," said Stephen Holmes, president of Wyndham Worldwide. "I think you’re going to start seeing the dividends pay off relatively quickly."
Christie said his office has made basic steps toward improving the business climate, like keeping appointments with CEOs and handing out his direct office number.
Several business leaders expressed concerns about the state’s sales tax structure, which levies tax for products made in New Jersey but sold elsewhere. Democrats in the Legislature passed a bill that would change the structure, but Christie has yet to act on the legislation.
"Instead of polishing his national conservative credentials by appearing with big business leaders on Fox, the governor should head back to Trenton and sign the 30 bills on his desk that would actually do something to help businesses large and small create jobs and get the economy moving," Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D-Gloucester) said in a statement.
Nancy Lurker, head of health care company PDI Inc., said when her business recruits employees to New Jersey, they often opt to live in Pennsylvania and commute because of the taxes.
During the symposium, Christie also had harsh words for New Jersey’s neighbors, including taking a stab at New Yorkers who appear on the "Jersey Shore" television program.
New Jersey doesn’t need to have a tax rate lower than Pennsylvania to attract residents away, he said, because people would prefer to live in the Garden State even if it means paying a little more. But when taxes are too high, the competitive edge is lost, he said.