NFIB National Federation of Independent Business : WHETHER OR NOT YOU THINK NJ IS A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE, ITS CERTAINLY A TERRIBLE PLACE TO DIE

WHETHER OR NOT YOU THINK NJ IS A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE, IT'S CERTAINLY A TERRIBLE PLACE TO DIE

TRENTON (January 12, 2016): The state's leading small business advocacy group, the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) is reacting to Governor Christies state of the state today and applauding him for highlighting the importance of abolishing the estate tax.

'Not only do we have the highest number of people migrating out of their home state, Forbes Magazine pegged New Jersey as 'Where Not to Die in 2015' thanks to the double whammy of both the inheritance and estate tax in New Jersey,' according to NFIB New Jersey state director, Laurie Ehlbeck. 'People are fleeing our state in droves because they cannot afford to die here. Repealing the estate tax is a crucial step in retaining our retirees and strengthening the state's economic stability.'

New Jersey continues to be plagued by a hostile tax structure and the legislature fails year after year to do anything to rectify the situation. Christie's proposal today is seen by the small business community as the first step down a long path of economic recovery.

According to Ehlbeck, 'Governor Christie has, in the past, proposed changes to tax structure and regulatory restrictions on small businesses however the will of the legislature has been to stagnate growth and stunt job creation. Hearing suggestions from the Governor that will ultimately encourage more confidence in our economic situation is refreshing compared to what has been bantered about in the Senate and Assembly.'

Optimism amongst small business owners in New Jersey remains low and any hope of changing their outlook diminishes each time tax hikes and increasing regulations are debated.

'Small business owners always breathe a sigh of relief when no new taxes are introduced in a speech like todays because economic stability certainly lends itself to assisting entrepreneurs with planning for the future. However a fiscal stalemate is not going to get New Jersey on the right path to improving our economic situation. It is imperative that lawmakers support Governor Christie and provide him the proper legislation needed to ultimately abolish the estate tax, it's a great start,' concluded Ehlbeck.