Dear Chamber Members,  We are living in unprecedented times and they are going to get worse, in the next couple of weeks, before they get better. We, as entrepreneurs and small business owners, will take the blunt of these hard times as orders get cancelled and supply chains dry up. The good news is that we are a resilient group. We here along the Jersey Shore have gone through tough times before. Just 8 years ago we faced the enormous destruction brought on by Sandy and four years before that we experienced the collapse of the stock market and the recession. Make no mistake; we will conquer COVID-19 but we must do it together. Remember that COVID-19 crises will not last forever. Within these crises may be opportunities for you and your business. Be on the lookout for ways that your business can pivot, form a strategic partnership or add new services.   The Greater Toms River Chamber of Commerce has had one mission and that is to connect the local businesses, individuals and nonprofits together. We have encouraged doing business with each other and that encouragement has never been more important than right now. If at all possible, do business

The New York Jets are calling for all eligible* local small businesses to enter the New York Jets Small Business Showcase presented by M&T Bank. Following the application period, five small business finalists will be invited to attend Pitch Night at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center during the week of July 22nd, where they will present to a panel of Jets and M&T Bank executives for final consideration. The winning small business will receive sponsorship assets valued at $100,000 with the New York Jets for the 2019 football season. Eligible small businesses must submit a completed application for consideration between May 2, 2019 and May 31, 2019. All eligible entries received during the submission period will be judged on the following criteria: Completion of application, depth of community involvement, worthiness of business and brand, business and sponsorship category “fit” to partner with the New York Jets and M&T Bank. For more information on the New York Jets Small Business Showcase please visit www.newyorkjets.com/smallbusiness. Assets (subject to change based on availability and brand fit) Include:** Ten EY Coaches Club tickets Stadium signage for all Jets home games Commercial units in Jets gameday radio broadcasts on 98.7 ESPN Opportunity to have an

GUIDE TO THE NEW PAID SICK LEAVE LAW Assembly Bill No. 1827, concerning earned sick leave for employees, was recently signed into law and goes into effect October 29, 2018. General Information: Sick leave applies to all workers, full- and part- time, employed in the State of New Jersey, with the exception of: construction workers under contract pursuant to collective bargaining: per diem healthcare employees; or public employees already provided with sick leave. Beginning on October 29, 2018, or on the date that the employee is hired (whichever occurs later) employee earns one (1) hour os sick leave for every 30 hours of work. Sick leave must be paid at the same rate and with the same benefits that the employee normally earns. The pay rate shall not be less than minimum wage. Employees can use sick leave after 120 calendar days from start of their employment. Employees can earn up to 40 hours over a 12-month consecutive period, also known as benefit year. Employers cannot require the employee using sick leave to find a replacement to cover the hours that they are using sick leave. To learn more: State Chamber Paid Sick Leave Guide (1)

If you are following the news in recent weeks, there is no doubt that you have heard details outlining the pending tax reform legislation. The Greater Toms River Chamber of Commerce business community supports tax reform, but we cannot support the proposed legislation in its current form.   While the proposal may result in a net positive for the Country, that would not be the case at the State-level for people of New Jersey. Some of the direct downsides of the proposed legislation include the elimination of state and local tax deductions and limiting the property tax deduction to $10,000 (per the House GOP proposal - the Senate is looking for a plan that eliminates credits and deductions altogether).  Additionally, there are various business industries that would, specifically, be harmed by the proposed legislation including the healthcare and higher education sectors.   One of the largest, indirect, downsides of the proposed legislation is the continued, and potentially increased, outmigration that we are seeing  Outmigration results in the loss of jobs, economic activity, labor income, and household income.  Already staggering statistics put New Jersey near the top of the list for the highest, domestic, outmigration in the United States year after

For years, Congress has talked about their vision for tax reform. Now, we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to fix our nation’s tax code, grow the economy, create more jobs, and put more money in the pockets of hard-working Americans.   The last time we had comprehensive tax reform was 1986 – Top Gun was the number one movie and Ronald Reagan was president. That’s too long for the American families and businesses who have suffered under a complicated and costly tax code.   The time for tax reform is now.   In partnership with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, we’re pleased to announce the launch of www.TaxReformForAmerica.com to drive action and share real stories from your fellow taxpayers.   We encourage you to visit the site, contact your legislators, and give us your take on how tax reform could affect your business’s hiring, growth, planning, and strategy. Your testimonial may be included as part of our broader grassroots efforts to drive engagement with Congress.   Whether you believe that that real reform will create more jobs, help American families with the cost of living, or create a simpler, fairer system for all Americans, we appreciate your support in telling Congress that it’s