"We're glad to see Newark on Amazon's short list for its new headquarters, as we've said all along that New Jersey's largest city would make a prime location for the company's HQ2 project. But we remain wary of the steep price tag for taxpayers that state and local lawmakers have already put on this project. By putting at least $5 billion, and potentially several billion dollars more, in taxpayer dollars on the table so early in the game, New Jersey has ensured that is returns will be minimized if Amazon were to ultimately choose the state.

For New Jersey’s economy to be truly competitive and strong, the state needs to get back to basics: investing in the assets that give us an edge. Whether that’s ensuring NJ Transit is reliable and affordable, strengthening the state’s public colleges and universities, or fostering smart, dense growth in walkable downtowns with more affordable places to live, these are the policy solutions New Jersey should have prioritized in its efforts to woo Amazon. Merely blowing the lid off already out-of-control corporate tax break policies comes at a hefty price tag for New Jersey's future."