Forrester Fact Check

The Bergen Record recently interviewed Doug Forrester during which he said this:

I'm saying at least for four years that we're not going to increase taxes in New Jersey because we can't. And the reason we can't is because the state has to send that signal to the business community and the people who are leaving New Jersey.

There is a very serious problem with regard to the business climate. You know we're ranked 44th in terms of business competitiveness. New businesses, most of those started by women, fail at twice the national average. We've got a distinctly inhospitable environment for small businesses, 45th in the nation.

Hmmff... Not according to Entrepreneur magazine they recently ranked NJ as the #2 hotspots for starting a small business (also graphic here).

So Doug, where are you getting your numbers?

I wonder how the Bergen Record feels about endorsing a liar.

UPDATE: BLOGGER POWER... I cross posted this post on BlueJersey.net, and Corzine Connection yesterday and Matt was kind enough to front page me...

Today Brian Lehrer had Doug Forrester on and a caller (Lindsay) asked precisely this question... Asked Forrester to square his position with Entrepreneur Magazine's #2 rating... Forrester cited this Beacon Hill study. For the Record, Beacon Hill is a conservative think tank whose mission is... ahem:

Grounded in the principles of limited government, fiscal responsibility and free markets

I will delve into the Beacon Hill study to see if it is in anyway flawed. If so... I will report back to you my fellow readers.