Home News Tribune: Christie forecasts better days ahead in talk to business leaders

PLAINSBORO — Gov. Chris Christie told some of the state’s most powerful corporate leaders and lobbyists Wednesday night that New Jersey is becoming a better place to do business.

Christie was at the Westin Princeton at Forrestal Village to deliver a speech to approximately 500 business CEO’s and state lawmakers at the New Jersey Business & Industry Association’s State Dinner.

The organization has 22,000 members, making it the nation’s largest state-level employer association.

Christie highlighted his efforts to improve the state’s business climate since he took office last year. He said he’s followed through on promises to cut governmental red tape, veto proposed tax increases and reduce the tax burden on businesses.

Christie also drew laughs, telling stories about family members watching themselves featured on CNN’s Piers Morgan Tonight, and saying he “loves to get up in the morning to go to work -- get in the car or the helicopter -- the car if I’m going to work, the helicopter if I’m going to a game.’'

Christie said the state’s economy is hinting at a rebound. New Jersey posted job gains in three straight months through April.

“We are seeing the beginning of private sector recovery and job creation,’’ the Republican governor said.

State gross income and corporate business tax collections are outpacing budget estimates, he said, adding that those are signs that both paychecks and profits are growing.

“It’s a good indication that our sound fiscal policies over the last 17 months are beginning to pay off,’’ he said. “The effort will pay off. I promise you.’’

Christie also heralded the newly brokered deal with top Democrats on a bill to reform pension and health benefits systems for public employees in New Jersey.

The agreement proves “if you deal with the big issues in a straightforward and honest way,’’ problems can be solved with members of both political parties working together, he said.

But the governor’s business-friendly efforts have hurt other sectors, said Bill Holland, spokesman for Better Choices for New Jersey, a coalition of some 70 community, environmental, labor and religious groups.

Shortly before Christie’s scheduled speech, Holland said the meeting with “the state’s most powerful corporate lobbyists” showed that the governor “sign that he stands with big business instead of New Jersey’s working families.”

“Even as the governor has forced through cuts that increased (school) class sizes, raised tuition and train fares and cut affordable health care for tens of thousands of working New Jerseyans, he’s promised as much as $1 billion in public funds to corporations without providing the jobs New Jersey needs,” said Holland, referring to tax breaks provided to Xanadu, Revel, Panasonic and other businesses.

“New Jersey needs to invest in education, transportation, and other vital services that are essential to bringing about an economic recovery all New Jerseyans can share in,” Holland said.

The State Dinner is hosted by the association’s Employer Legislative Committees. The county committees were established in 1959 to bring together business people, legislators and other government leaders to share ideas on the top issues affecting New Jersey’s economy.

This year’s dinner was sponsored by New Jersey Manufacturers Insurance Co., with NJM president and chief executive officer, Bernie Flynn, serving as chairman of the event.

Flynn said Christie “has succeeded in changing the culture in Trenton. Job creation hinges on a healthy business climate. This is an exciting time for businesses committed to New Jersey.’’