New Jersey
New Jersey merchants deserve relief from credit card swipe fees | Opinion
3-minute read
Americans owing record credit card debt are carrying debt for longer
Will the potential federal interest rate cuts help Americans unload credit card debt in the second half of 2024?
Scripps News
New Jersey residentss are still anxiously awaiting the significant financial relief that was promised on the 2024 campaign trail. Providing economic relief and helping out mom and pop businesses are a cornerstone of sensible policy and the type of kitchen table issues that matter to us as voters. And with Americans more concerned about the economy than ever before, having Senators like Andy Kim and Cory Booker who can help quickly pass legislation like the Credit Card Competition Act will help address those anxieties by boosting small businesses and reducing costs for consumers.
The Credit Card Competition Act, or CCCA, will lower the out-of-control credit card swipe fees levied on small businesses by big banks and card companies. Here in New Jersey, small businesses paid over $3 billion in swipe fees in 2023 alone, with swipe fees across the United States more than tripling over the last decade. This unprecedented increase in fees is the direct result of Visa and Mastercard’s dominance of the payments industry.
In the absence of serious competition, Visa and Mastercard have taken it upon themselves to raise swipe fees repeatedly. Meanwhile, merchants have been forced to pass on those higher fee payments to consumers in the form of increased costs. Unlike credit card executives, however, ordinary Americans aren’t made of money. New Jersey households already spend 32% more than the national average on everyday bills and costs, and an added burden from swipe fees only puts unnecessary strain on the state’s economy. American families are paying on average more than $1,100 a year in higher prices as a result of swipe fees. After four years of historic inflation, we simply can’t afford that.
If Congress wants to reduce costs for businesses in the Garden State and nationwide, it should vote to pass the Credit Card Competition Act which has received overwhelming support from the public, a variety of merchant associations, and even the Teamsters and the SEIU, some of America’s largest unions.
This legislation will let merchants choose between a minimum of two different credit card networks when processing a payment, providing an avenue for more competition in the payments industry and giving Visa and Mastercard an incentive to lower their swipe fees in order to remain competitive. A drop in fees would result in significant savings, upward of $475 million for New Jersey businesses and consumers annually. Saving on swipe fees means more funds to improve wages, hire more staff, and lower prices on goods and services.
It’s time to move past the campaign promises and finally tackle issues that are actively increasing costs. I hope Sen. Andy Kim and Sen. Cory Booker will support passage of the Credit Card Competition Act and exemplify the support this bill has already received. Swipe fees don’t discriminate by party, and lowering costs for Americans should be a top priority for every member of Congress.
Joseph Allegre is owner of Supreme Team Barber Lounge in Hazlet.
Is there anything better than going out for breakfast? I mean, sure, you can make bacon, eggs, and toast at home, but there’s just something relaxing about going out to a Jersey Diner and getting your coffee in a plain white mug, looking over a massive menu, and feeling the back of your legs stick to the pleather booth.
Jersey loves a good breakfast spot.
A New Breakfast Chain Is Coming To NJ, With 2 Locations Planned
And there’s a new breakfast chain getting ready to open two locations in New Jersey that promise an elevated breakfast experience, which could be perfect for your next brunch.
And this new elevated breakfast concept is being run by a mother-son duo, who don’t love seeing that?
The Maple House Is Coming Soon To New Jersey
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According to NJ.com, Monmouth County natives Anthony DeGrande and his mother, Lisa Dalton, are the brains behind Monmouth County’s newest breakfast place, The Maple House.
The Maple House will specialize in an elevated breakfast experience, whipping up menu items such as cookie butter pancakes, a braised short rib melt, and addictive salads. The Maple House will be a great new addition to the New Jersey breakfast scene.
The Maple House Is Planning 2 NJ Locations
The Maple House already has big expansion plans, too. The first location is getting ready to open sometime in May off Oceanport Avenue in Fort Monmouth, but there are already plans in place for a second location.
The Maple House also plans on debuting in Neptune, off of South Main Street, in the near future as well.
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PATERSON, New Jersey (WABC) — One person was killed and three others were injured in a shooting in Paterson.
The violence erupted around 6:30 p.m. Saturday near the intersection of East 29th Street and 10th Avenue.
Children nearby gasped in horror at the sound of rapid gunfire. They were just about to sing Happy Birthday to their 13-year-old friend at her backyard party, but instead of blowing out the candles, they ducked for cover when they heard gunshots in the distance.
“Just hearing it – it was scary to witness, to hear. Especially on my birthday. Like a time I’m trying to play with my friends, get together,” said the 13-year-old.
She also says she had a friend who was there who saw what happened.
“He was going to the bodega – he went running back, but he had saw two people come out of a car and then shoot, but it was like an automatic gun,” she added.
Bystanders watched in shock and panic as first responders treated the victims. One of them was lying in the street next to a car and another was on the ground next to a bicycle.
Local councilman Luis Velez says the City of Paterson has taken measures to reduce crime in this part of town – what he calls a ‘hotspot’ — in part by installing security cameras. He is encouraging the community to cooperate.
“Paterson Police is doing their job as I know, they’re doing a great job to reduce crime, but one again we, the police, nobody, not even the news media has a crystal ball to say this is going to happen now,” Velez said, “Some people see corners getting built up, they see activities and they’re afraid to come out and say something, but our police department is trained to keep it confidential and approach to bring the quality of life in this area.”
The 13-year-old hopes her next birthday party is not ruined by the sound of gunshots.
“First we thought it was fireworks, but then we heard sirens and everyone started going home because they were scared,” she added.
Copyright © 2026 WABC-TV. All Rights Reserved.
Let’s be honest, we didn’t need a national list to tell us this. New Jersey has the best restaurants, the best food, and some of the most talented chefs anywhere in America.
It’s something locals have been saying forever, and now the rest of the country is catching up. Still, it’s always nice to see that recognition on a big stage.
We Already Knew New Jersey Was the Best
USA TODAY’s 2026 Restaurants of the Year list highlights standout dining destinations across the country.
From humble roadside gems to chef-driven hotspots earning major buzz, the list celebrates places that truly stand out, and New Jersey showed up in a big way.
Three New Jersey Spots Earn National Recognition
This year, three Garden State restaurants made the prestigious list:
- The Pasta Shop – Denville
- Ram & Rooster – Metuchen
- Anjelica’s – Sea Bright
And yes, that includes a Jersey Shore favorite, because of course it does.
These restaurants represent everything people love about dining in New Jersey, quality, creativity, and flavors that keep you coming back.
A Jersey Shore Standout Shines
There’s something special about seeing a Jersey Shore restaurant included among the best in America. It’s not just about great food, it’s about the full experience, the atmosphere, and that unmistakable local charm.
Anjelica’s in Sea Bright earning a spot only reinforces what shore locals already know: some of the best meals you’ll ever have are right here, close to home.
No Surprise, Just Well-Deserved
At the end of the day, this recognition feels less like a surprise and more like confirmation. New Jersey’s food scene has always been top-tier, and lists like this just make it official.
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So whether you’re heading to Denville, Metuchen, or down the shore, you already know, you’re in for something special.
PHOTOS: Step Inside a 1970s Kitchen — 34 Things You’ll Recognize
From Tupperware jugs (you know the ones) to those ever-present knife sharpeners, let’s take a nostalgic trip back to the quintessential ’70s kitchen.
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If You Grew Up in the ’70s and ’80s, These Foods Were Super Fancy
From Babybels to Toblerone chocolate, take a nostalgic bite out of these ‘fancy’ childhood foods that made us feel way more elegant than we really were.
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