Gov. Mikie Sherrill campaigned extensively on creating a state government that is more welcoming to small business — and the business process as a whole.
Her first budget address will reinforce that, according to someone familiar with its contents, but is not authorized to speak publicly about the address.
The governor’s first budget address will include the following themes and initiatives:
Small business: The budget will maintain funding for the Main Street Recovery Fund while proposes cuts to filing fees for corporations and non-profits.
Business Action Center: The budget also will call for additional employees to allow the BAC to reach and support thousands of additional businesses, supercharging entrepreneurship, job creation, and innovation across New Jersey, the person said.
New Jersey Innovation Authority: The governor is expected to call to increase funding to the NJIA by $13.3 million to ensure a stable foundation for this work and support the governor’s efforts to improve customer experience, reduce administrative burdens and make government more responsive and accountable.
Department of Environmental Protection: The budget is expected to address the understaffing of the permitting function at DEP, establishing two new regulatory review teams. These additional resources will focus on reducing permitting process backlogs and delays and will expedite and streamline project reviews for critical projects like energy generation, grid support and new housing.
It’s part of an effort to ensure that state government supports small business success, rather than getting in the way, the person said.
