A new NJ.com op-ed warns that New Jersey is missing its biggest economic opportunity in decades — investing in veterans and military families in a way that matches what leading states are already doing.
By Exit Desk
Retired Army Lt. Col. Scott Rutter published a powerful NJ.com opinion piece today arguing that New Jersey is falling behind while places like Texas and Florida aggressively recruit veteran entrepreneurs and their families. Here’s the entire message broken down in plain Jersey English.
1. NJ is still treating veterans with “support,” not “investment.”
Rutter says NJ offers ceremonies and basic services. Other states offer tax breaks, contract access, accelerators, and startup pathways.
2. Veterans and military families are an economic engine waiting to be unleashed.
Veterans start businesses at far higher rates than civilians. Military families bring adaptability, logistics skills, and leadership shaped by real-world responsibility.
3. NJ keeps losing companies the same way we lost Bell Labs.
Rutter argues that the innovation hubs that used to be here now thrive in states recruiting veteran-led companies. Meanwhile, NJ’s business climate pushes talent away.
4. Texas and Florida give veterans a runway — not handouts.
Streamlined licensing, no income tax, guaranteed contract percentages, and real enforcement have turned those states into magnets for veteran-owned tech companies.
5. Rutter proposes a bold New Jersey Veterans Investment Act.
Key ideas include:
- mandatory 15–20% veteran-owned contracting thresholds
- major tax incentives for hiring veterans and spouses
- property tax incentives for veteran entrepreneurs
- business accelerators at NJ universities
- aggressive recruitment of veteran-owned firms
- better healthcare and job access to keep families here
6. New Jersey must act now or fall further behind.
Rutter’s warning is simple: investing in veterans and their families isn’t charity. It’s the smartest economic strategy NJ has right now.
Original article credit
Full NJ.com piece by Scott E. Rutter:
https://www.nj.com/opinion/2025/12/veterans-can-drive-njs-future-economy-but-were-stuck-in-the-past-opinion.html
Copy-and-paste message readers can send to legislators
Subject: Invest in New Jersey’s Veterans and Military Families
I’m asking you to support major veteran and military family investment in 2026. Veterans and their families are proven innovators and business builders. States like Texas and Florida are aggressively recruiting them — and winning jobs and companies because of it.
New Jersey needs strong tax incentives, veteran-owned business contracting requirements, business accelerators, and real support for military spouses. Please make this a priority this session.
Find your representatives: https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/legislative-roster
New Jersey families, businesses, and communities all benefit when veterans and their families have real pathways to build and grow here. If this conversation finally forces Trenton to rethink its strategy, the entire state wins.
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