In her first six weeks in office, we at NJBIA have been very encouraged by Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s approach to governing the state. From the outset, we have seen several executive orders to help New Jersey’s business community. We have seen a prioritization of affordability and fiscal discipline on the eve of her first budget address.
And beyond just having a seat at the table, we know the governor and her capable team are quite engaged and consider our input as it relates to our employers and our economy.
While we know we won’t agree on every issue, we know that a good process always yields a fairer result. To that end, Gov. Sherrill’s approach to the business community has been nothing short of refreshing.
The Sherrill administration recently released 10 reports from its transition teams. NJBIA Chief Government Affairs Officer Christopher Emigholz, Vice President of Government Affairs Althea D. Ford and I had the privilege on being part of them and our message to anyone interested in New Jersey’s future is simply this:
Give them your attention! Some of the recommendations mirror or resemble ones we made in our Blueprint for a Competitive New Jersey, while there are also fresh ideas we can get behind to bring much-needed improvement to our business climate.
Here are just a few highlights that could really change New Jersey’s fiscal trajectory if these recommendations are carried through:
Fiscal Responsibility and Government Accountability:
- Reforming the state health benefits program;
- Seeking and taking advantage of shared services opportunities;
- Maximizing the effectiveness and cost-efficiency of government services by overhauling outdated and duplicative IT systems, reforming our inefficient and time-consuming process for awarding State contracts, and ensuring that every government agency implements best practices on an ongoing basis.
Saving You Time and Money: Getting Government to Work for New Jerseyans
- Streamlining and expediting state agency permitting;
- Creating a public-facing online permitting dashboard to improve transparency and reduce delays for projects;
- Developing and implementing enforceable permitting timelines within an agency’s approval process;
- Creating a one-stop shop for occupational and business licenses to expedite approvals.
Driving New Jersey Forward: Economic Development and Innovation
- Bolstering dual economic development strategies for business attraction and retention;
- Expanding the reach of existing economic development programs to support more small businesses;
- Taking steps to reduce costs and improve the business climate.
Jobs, Opportunity, and Prosperity for All
- Reducing disparities in businesses’ access to opportunity, capital, and state contracts;
- Expanding access to apprenticeship and workforce training programs for underrepresented businesses;
- Expanding support for small businesses in accessing affordable healthcare plans and tax forgiveness programs;
- Adopting a new postsecondary educational attainment goal for 75% of adults in the labor market to have postsecondary degrees or credentials by 2040.
Again, this is only a small sample of offerings made by the governor’s mission to deliver transition teams – which included subject matter areas like energy affordability, housing, transportation and infrastructure innovation, education and health care.
And sure, there are a few areas we’d like to see given some more consideration. The affordable energy document, for example, calls for an all-of-the-above approach for energy in the state, but doesn’t acknowledge the undeniable need for natural gas part to be part of that equation.
But the bottom line is this: The Sherrill administration has taken a thoughtful and deep policy approach to improving the Garden State. As stakeholders, whether a business association or simply a resident who cares about the future of our state, we owe it to this new team to check out these recommendations and provide feedback to keep them moving forward during this governorship.
Michele Siekerka is the CEO of the New Jersey Business & Industry Association.
