Sweeney Emphasizes Affordability As A Key Component of Economic Growth & Expansion

NEW BRUNSWICK – Addressing a meeting of the National Association for Industrial and Office Parks Public Affairs today, Senate President Steve Sweeney emphasized the importance of making New Jersey affordable to attract and retain businesses and their workers and that the recommendations of the fiscal study group provide a series of solutions and remedies.

“One of the key ingredients of attracting and retaining businesses and their jobs is affordability for their workers,” said Senator Sweeney (Gloucester/Salem/Cumberland). “New Jersey is a great place to live and work but we need to do more to make the state affordable for middle class workers and their families. If we are going to make New Jersey the prosperous, affordable economic powerhouse we all know and want it to be, we have to tackle some of our most intractable fiscal problems.”

Senator Sweeney said the recommendations of the bipartisan Economic and Fiscal Policy Workgroup of economists, tax policy experts and academics provide a workable blueprint for the reforms needed to control the costs of government before they continue to grow out of control.

“New Jersey faces daunting fiscal challenges that, left unaddressed, will only grow worse,” said Senator Sweeney. “Unless we make fundamental changes everything else we want to do is going to go out the window. We need to make the structural reforms needed to fix the state’s fiscal crisis.”

Senator Sweeney also stressed the importance of providing funds to NJ Transit, which suffered from years of neglect and mismanagement and the construction of the PATH Extension from Newark Penn Station to Newark Airport which would provide another option for commuters to get into Manhattan. He also talked about building HOT lanes to generate revenue and increase motor vehicle capacity on interstate highways.

“We worked with Senator Sweeney to get the Transportation Trust Fund renewed because we shared his commitment to the importance of a quality transportation infrastructure,” said Mike McGuinness, CEO, NAIOP New Jersey. “We also share his commitment to make New Jersey an affordable place to live and do business. We want the jobs and the economic growth that will improve the quality of life for everyone in the state.”

The Commercial Real Estate Development Association is the leading organization for owners and related professionals in office, industrial and mixed-use real estate. NAIOP provides unparalleled industry networking and education, and advocates for effective legislation on behalf of our members. NAIOP advances responsible, sustainable development that creates jobs and benefits the communities in which our members work and live.  NAIOP New Jersey is committed to improving the professionalism of the individual, the image of the industry and the quality of life in our communities.