Garden State Times

Governor Phil Murphy delivered his State of the State address at the Capitol today. The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), a prominent small business advocacy group with many members in New Jersey, responded to the speech.

NFIB State Director Eileen Kean commented on the Governor's remarks: “Governor Murphy said during his State of the State message today that New Jersey now has a more reasonable and responsible government that is a model for the nation. He mentioned that one billion dollars in grants and loans were provided to help small businesses since the onset of the pandemic. While NFIB is grateful, Main Street businesses continue to struggle, operating in the most expensive, overtaxed state in the country."

Kean further noted concerns about business contributions to the Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund: “The Governor failed to address the reality that businesses are being forced to contribute over one billion dollars to the Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund, which was depleted by the pandemic, unlike in the majority of other states that dedicated federal COVID relief money to their unemployment shortfall."

Regarding liquor licensing laws, Kean expressed apprehension: “His announced plan to entirely revamp all aspects of New Jersey’s liquor licensing laws, while well-intentioned, will create another layer of expensive fees and regulations, pitting unlicensed and currently licensed Main Street restaurants against each other. He could have used a scalpel to remove the current bad brewery rules, but instead he is using a meat cleaver, and it will be ugly.”

For nearly 80 years, NFIB has advocated for America's small and independent business owners across Washington D.C. and all 50 state capitals. As a nonprofit and nonpartisan organization founded in 1943, NFIB remains committed to supporting small businesses.