NJ gov: Tax credits are 'most important pledge' to Amazon

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) -- New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy has promised Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos he is committed to tax incentives enacted under Chris Christie worth up to $5 billion in an effort to attract the online retail giant to the state.

The first-term Democratic governor has been highly critical of tax incentives but backed the incentive package aimed at attracting Amazon to Newark.

In a letter obtained by the Associated Press through the Open Public Records Act, Murphy wrote to Bezos in January, less than a week succeeding Christie, and said the correspondence was one of his "first official acts as governor."

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He highlighted the city's infrastructure, talent, location, diversity and affordability and underscored the tax incentives. He says "our most important pledge" is supporting the credits.

Amazon declined to comment.