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New Jersey Chamber Insider

Business News, Advice and Trends

May 13, 2025

Today's Highlights

• Report: Newark airport staffed with just 3 controllers as chaos continues.

• NJ Transit cancels all buses and trains for Shakira concert at MetLife Stadium as strike looms.

• Netflix Studios breaks ground today at Fort Monmouth.

Report: Newark airport staffed with just 3 controllers as chaos continues

As few as three air traffic controllers were working at Newark Liberty International Airport Monday, according to a published report. That’s 11 fewer than the targeted amount for that time period, The New York Times reported. On Monday, during the shift that typically runs from 3 to 10 p.m., the group that manages Newark air traffic from Philadelphia was operating with only one or two fully certified controllers, sources told the publication. On Monday, the delays that have plagued the airport in the past week continued. There were 249 delays at the airport and 87 cancellations, according to FlightAware. (nj.com)

NJ Transit cancels all buses and trains for Shakira concert at MetLife Stadium as strike looms

With a locomotive engineers strike looming, NJ Transit announced no bus or rail service would run to MetLife Stadium for the Shakira concert later this week. "Due to the potential rail service stoppage, NJ TRANSIT will not be operating train or bus service to MetLife Stadium for the Shakira concerts on May 15th and 16th,” the agency said in a social media post Monday. The announcement of rail and bus stoppages follows the possibility of locomotive engineers striking as contract negotiations with the union continue. A statement posted to the stadium’s website said to find other means of travel including carpooling, ride shares and Coach buses from New York City. (nj.com)

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Netflix Studios breaks ground today at Fort Monmouth

Netflix Studios, a 1-million-square-foot campus with 12 soundstages, broke ground today at Fort Monmouth and is scheduled to open in 2028. According to reports, the project costs $900 million. The studio will serve as Netflix’s flagship production location on the East Coast. The new site of the studios is slated to bring 5,000 jobs, which includes 3,500 construction jobs followed by 1,500 permanent production jobs, according to Netflix. Netflix’s campus will cover 292 acres in Eatontown and Oceanport. (ROI-NJ)

April inflation report shows prices grew at slowest pace since 2021

Consumer prices climbed last month at the slowest pace since February 2021, as the inflationary effects of President Trump's tariffs had yet to hit Americans' wallets. The Consumer Price Index, which tracks costs throughout the economy, rose 2.3% year on year in April, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Tuesday, down from 2.4% in March. Analysts said the slower price growth may still not prompt the Federal Reserve, tasked with managing inflation, from lowering interest rates. Trump has repeatedly called for the central bank to do so, bashing its decision last week to hold rates steady. (NBC News)

US House GOP mandates Medicaid work requirements in budget bill that would slash spending

U.S. House Republicans plan to debate and approve pieces of their budget bill in committee this week. At least $880 billion over the next 10 years would be slashed under the piece of the bill that covers energy and health care, including from Medicaid. Republicans would add new Medicaid work requirements for some able-bodied adults; seek to penalize the dozen states that allow immigrants living in the U.S. without legal status in the program; and require states to more frequently check Medicaid enrollees’ eligibility, among other changes. (New Jersey Monitor)

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Here’s how the proposed cuts to Medicaid would affect New Jersey

The debate over the future of Medicaid – which serves 80 million U.S. citizens, including 1.8 million from N.J. – takes center stage Tuesday, with a congressional panel set to discuss changes that would eliminate at least 8.6 million people from the program, according to a preliminary estimate from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. Congressional Republicans passed a resolution in February that required the House Energy and Commerce Committee to find deep savings from Medicaid to help pay for the income tax cuts President Trump enacted during his first term that largely favor wealthy people. (nj.com)

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President Trump says he will remove US sanctions on Syria

President Trump said on Tuesday he would order the lifting of sanctions on Syria at the behest of Saudi Arabia's crown prince, in a huge boost for interim Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa as he seeks to stabilize a country shattered by war. Trump made the surprise announcement during a regional tour that began in Saudi Arabia. The U.S. imposed tough sanctions on Syria during the rule of Bashar al-Assad, and had kept them in place since he was toppled from power in December after more than 13 years of war. (Reuters)

Cornerstone NJ Member News

Judge Alberto Rivas joins CSG Law’s Litigation Group

Former Superior Court Judge Alberto Rivas joined Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi’s litigation group. Appointed to the bench in 2010 by Gov. Jon Corzine, Rivas presided over Middlesex County Superior Court. Rivas spent his judicial tenure in the civil, family law and criminal divisions of Middlesex County including a stint as presiding judge of the criminal division and as assignment judge of Middlesex County. (BINJE)

FirstEnergy donates $25,000 to the Red Cross for wildfire aid

The FirstEnergy Foundation donated $25,000 to the American Red Cross to support disaster assistance to families living in communities served by Jersey Central Power & Light. The donation comes after the Red Cross provided aid to some of the 5,000 residents who evacuated due to the Jones Road wildfire, which burned through more than 15,000 acres in parts of JCP&L’s Ocean County territory. (ROI-NJ)

Cornerstone NJ is a membership program of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce. 

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Business Events

May 19 – NJ Chamber Challenge Cup Golf Outing

Bedens Brook Club, Skillman, Noon

More information and register

May 21 – Business Roundtable Breakfast with Speaker Craig Coughlin

National Conference Center, East Windsor, 8:15 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.

Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin will discuss the proposed fiscal 2026 state budget, and other issues vital to the business community.

More information and register

June 3 – Reporters Forum: Previewing New Jersey’s Gubernatorial Primaries and Key Economic Issues (Free Virtual Event)

9 a.m. – 10 a.m.

An insightful discussion on N.J.’s upcoming gubernatorial primaries and the major economic issues shaping the race. Our panel will explore the state's business climate, tax policy, and budget outlook – offering analysis and context for the months ahead.

More information and register

June 12 – 28th Annual NJ Chamber Open House and Reception

New Jersey State Museum, Trenton, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

More information and register

July 16 – Young Professionals Networking Mixer

5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

More information and register

Sept. 18 – Women of Inspiration Awards Reception

National Conference Center, East Windsor, 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

More information coming soon

Sept. 25 – Member Networking Breakfast (Free to members)

New Jersey Audubon, Bernardsville, 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

More information coming soon

Oct. 22 – NJ Chamber Legislative & Business Awards Reception

EisnerAmper, Iselin, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

More information coming soon

Nov. 6 – DE&I Trailblazer Awards Reception

Co-Hosted by African American Chamber of NJ and NJ Chamber

Pines Manor, Edison, 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

More information coming soon

Dec. 11 – Annual Member Holiday Party (Free to members)

Calandra's Italian Village, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

More information coming soon

Were you forwarded this newsletter? For more information about the N.J. Chamber, email Patrick.Daily@njchamber.com.

Business Resources

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U.S. Chamber of Commerce

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