INSIDE TODAY'S UPDATE

• Congress says it wants to avoid a shutdown. But the House and Senate are moving further apart.

• Why many business owners want customers to stop using credit cards.

• An update on legislation in Trenton that impacts business. 

Congress Says It Wants To Avoid a Shutdown. But the House and Senate Are Moving Even Further Apart The Congress is starkly divided over very different paths to preventing a federal shutdown – the Senate is charging ahead with a bipartisan package to temporarily fund the government, but the House is slogging through a longshot effort with no real chance of finishing by Saturday’s deadline. (The Associated Press

Federal Government Shutdown: What Is Open, and What Closes During a Shut Down? If Congress doesn’t make a spending deal by Sept. 30, the government will shut down for the 22nd time in the last 50 years. Here’s what you need to know about what a government shutdown entails and what services will be affected. (nj.com)

ROI-NJ Named Its Top 30 Business Leaders Today, and There Will Be an Awards Networking Reception to Honor Them on Nov. 30 ROI-NJ today announced the names of the 30 business leaders on its 'Champions of the C-Suite' list. And ROI-NJ is throwing a big networking party on Nov. 30 to honor those leaders – and 120 other state leaders featured in the business publication's 'Power and Influencer' lists throughout 2023. New Jersey Chamber of Commerce is proud to serve as the event planner for the awards event to take place at the Hanover Manor, in East Hanover. For information on the 'Power & Influencer Awards Gala' and to see the 30 honorees announced today, click here.( N.J. Chamber of Commerce & ROI-NJ)

Why Many Business Owners Want Customers To Stop Using Credit Cards Retailers have long complained that the so-called "swipe fees" they have to pay for accepting credit cards in the U.S. are much higher than those in Europe. U.S. retailers now pay about $160 billion a year in swipe fees, according to the Merchants Payments Coalition, a group that is looking to reduce those fees. That total has increased more than 50% since 2020, says Doug Kantor, who serves on the coalition's executive committee. (NPR)

Trenton Watch

An Update on Legislation in Trenton That Impacts Business See the N.J. Chamber's roundup of business-related legislation advancing in Trenton, and where our government relations department stands on them. (N.J. Chamber of Commerce)

Public Relations Icon Lee Cherenson Passes Away at 94 Lee Cherenson, a pioneering icon of the New Jersey public relations and advertising community, passed away Monday at the age of 94. He is the founder of Cherenson, Caroll and Holzer, which later became the Cherenson Group and today is SCG Advertising + Public Relations. (ROI-NJ)

Cell Phones Across the U.S. Will Sound Off Oct. 4. Here’s Why. Your phone, TV and radio will sound off an alarm on Oct. 4 at 2:20 p.m. But it’s just a test. The Federal Emergency Management Agency plans to conduct a nationwide test to gauge how effective the government’s mass communication can be in the event of an emergency, the agency said in a statement. (nj.com)

Business Events

Oct. 6, 2023 – 'Made in New Jersey' Manufacturing Day Network, learn, and access the resources available to the New Jersey businesses. This event is presented by NJMEP and sponsored by the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce. Registration and information.

Oct. 11 (5 - 8 p.m.) – The N.J. Chamber Legislative & Business Awards Reception The New Jersey Chamber of Commerce will present its Legislative & Business Awards on Oct. 11 at the Manasquan River Golf Club in Brielle, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. There will be plenty of time before the awards ceremony to network with the honorees and guests. Registration and information

Oct. 17 (8 - 10 a.m.) – N.J. Chamber Business Roundtable Series: A Conversation with Assembly Majority Leader Lou Greenwald Network with fellow attendees, then participate in a candid discussion with Assembly Majority Leader Lou Greenwald, including an interactive Q&A session. Registration and information.

Oct. 25 (9 - 10 a.m.) – The Return to Office Conundrum: How Employers are Addressing this Ongoing Issue in 2023 (Small Business Webinar) Over two years after companies returned to the office, many employers are still struggling with the right mix in regards to asking employees to be in the office. Experts from N.J. companies discuss how they’re handling the conundrum and what the future has in store.  Register and information.

Oct. 27 (9 - 10 a.m.) - N.J. Chamber Reporters Forum (Virtual Event)) Legislative elections. Inflation. Labor shortage. What will government try next to fix these issues? What will it mean for N.J.? Join a panel of top N.J. business and political reporters for an unfiltered discussion. Registration and Information.

Nov. 20 – DEI Trailblazer Awards Reception Olde Mill Inn, Basking Ridge, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. (Partnership with African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey)  Register and information.

Nov. 30 (5 - 8 p.m.) – Inaugural ROI-NJ 'Power and Influencer Awards Gala' Hanover Manor, East Hanover ROI-NJ will recognize 150 executives featured in its 'Power and Influencer' lists throughout 2023 – including 30 who will be recognized individually. The networking is sure to be top-notch. N.J. Chamber of Commerce is proud to serve as the event planner. Register and information.

ROI-NJ today announced the names of the 30 business leaders on its 'Champions of the C-Suite' list. And ROI-NJ is throwing a big networking reception on Nov. 30 to honor those leaders – and the 120 other state leaders featured in the business publication's 'Power and Influencer' lists throughout 2023. New Jersey Chamber of Commerce is proud to serve as the event planner for the awards event to take place at the Hanover Manor. For information on the event and to see the 30 honorees announced today, click here.( N.J. Chamber of Commerce & ROI-NJ)

Dec. 7 – Annual Member Holiday Party Calandra's Italian Village, Caldwell, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

March 26 & 27, 2024 – ReNew Jersey Business Summit & Expo Harrah's Atlantic City