EMACC urges leaders to cut spending
Recent news of Gov. Corzine's "debt reduction plan" and its subsequent endorsement from the N.J. State Chamber of Commerce has created quite a stir among our members and more than a little confusion as to the position of the Eastern Monmouth Area Chamber of Commerce (EMACC). First and foremost, a clarification is in order: EMACC is a nonpartisan, independent, not-for-profit business organization and does not operate alongside or under the umbrella of N.J. State Chamber (NJSC) nor does EMACC receive any funding - local, county or state - from any governmental entity or special interest group seeking to further their cause.

Secondly, it has long been the policy of EMACC to allow our members the opportunity - through the resources and information made available to them at www.emacc.org - to make their own informed decisions on legislative issues or actions which they may - or may not - support. However, when a plan with such far-reaching and potentially devastating consequences for all New Jersey businesses, residents and visitors is presented, we do support the efforts of those organizations which are influentially positioned to take action, such as The Commerce and Industry Association of N.J.

Lastly, we would like to see New Jersey's government leaders do what our members do during tough times: cut spending, do more with less, reduce payroll and eliminate nonessential programs. These are hard choices that businesses face every day. It is only by getting back to basics and eliminating waste that our state economy can once again prosper - sooner rather than later.

We urge all legislators to defeat the governor's plan and to get serious about reforming government in New Jersey. Reform our government, not by expansive borrowing and spending, but by eliminating the waste, fraud, corruption and nonessential programs that burden our residents and our businesses.

Peder Hagberg

Chairman

EMACC

Lynda Rose President and COO

EMACC Red Bank