Following Gov. Phil Murphy’s State of the State address, New Jersey’s business leaders applauded the governor for recent pro-business initiatives and his willingness to work with the business community. At the same time, they say more should be done to support small businesses in New Jersey. Affordability — a key theme in the governor’s address — is an issue for small businesses, according to Michele Siekerka of the New Jersey Business & Industry Association. At the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce, Tom Bracken said the Murphy administration should focus on providing more working capital to small businesses. They need it now, he says.
New Jersey has joined in a $20 billion nationwide settlement with five companies including three drugstore chains — CVS, Walgreens and Walmart — for their alleged role in the country’s opioid crisis. State Attorney General Matthew Platkin said that by joining the settlement, the state stands to receive more than $508 million, which would be used to prevent and treat opioid addiction in the state. The actual amount New Jersey receives will depend on how many county and municipal governments sign on to the agreements, which were reached with the drugstore chains as well as drugmakers Allergan and Teva.
