Nothing infuriates New Jersey Congressman Josh Gottheimer more than walking through his own airport and being greeted by a wall of "I Love NY" merchandise. So he's launching a legislative war—a 25% tax credit for any business that sells Jersey-branded goods in airports, train stations, and rest stops.
"We just landed in Jersey," Gottheimer fumed at a Tuesday press conference, his voice dripping with frustration. "And in my face is a row of shirts screaming 'I Love New York'?"
This isn't just about wounded state pride. With the World Cup heading to MetLife Stadium in just two months, Gottheimer sees a massive, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Millions of global fans will flood New Jersey's airports, drive its turnpikes, and pack its practice fields and fan festivals.
"This is our moment to spread that pride all over the world," he declared. The bill aims to put Jersey's 130-mile shoreline, local restaurants, shops, and apparel companies front and center—right where customers can't miss them.
Gottheimer didn't hold back when comparing his state to its neighbor across the river. "Insane taxes, dirty streets, and a bunch of socialists forcing Jersey families to pay a ridiculous Congestion Tax just to drive to work or see loved ones," he said, dismissing New York's allure with surgical precision.
But the World Cup brings a darker cloud: sheer, suffocating congestion. Officials on both sides of the Hudson are begging commuters to stay home. NJ Transit will sell only 40,000 round-trip tickets per game from Manhattan to MetLife—a tiny fraction of the expected crowd.
"If you are not attending, please work from home," pleaded Port Authority executive director Kathryn Garcia, her warning stark and uncompromising. She even discouraged rideshares and warned travelers about illegal taxis swarming the airports.
For those who must travel, the message is simple: embrace public transit. But for Gottheimer, the bigger mission is clear—make sure every visitor leaves with a Jersey souvenir, not a New York one.
