Democratic candidate for governor Mikie Sherrill on Tuesday night told an overflow crowd of business leaders that she is committed to not only streamlining policies involving business but also ensuring that business leaders will have a seat at the table in Trenton whenever key business issues are being discussed.
“I can’t promise you I’ll always agree with you, but I absolutely pledge that I will always hear you out and engage in thoughtful discussions to reach balanced compromises,” she said. “It’s going to take all of us working together, building broad coalitions, to chart a new path forward for our state.”
Sherrill was speaking at The Palace in Somerset at a post-primary event sponsored by the N.J. Business & Industry Association. Both she and Republican nominee Jack Ciattarelli spoke to the crowd for 10-15 minutes then took a handful of questions.
Sherrill said she was committed to streamlining and simplify the state processes through which new businesses can receive their licenses — and overhauling the state permitting process to reduce costs and delays that are holding major projects, such as housing developments and energy projects back.
She offered Pennsylvania as an example, saying the state has been able to reduce the time it takes for a new business to receive their license by 90%.
“It’s long past time that we do the same thing here in New Jersey,” she told the crowd.
Sherrill said modernization of the system will help, saying she was stunned when she heard businesses have to mail documents to Trenton — and do so with no knowledge of when their application would be handled.
“That business as usual will not cut it for our economy,” she said. “On Day One, I’ll bring my commissioners together and adopt a culture shift as state agencies that puts New Jersey residents first and businesses first — and prioritizes project approvals for the fewest delays and the lowest cost possible.”
Sherrill said she wants to bring a level of collaboration and cooperation between the business community and Trenton that has been seen in recent times, promising to build a more robust Business Action Center that works collaborating with owners of all size businesses to help cut through red tape and make it easier to set up shop here.
“When a business is applying for a permit, they should have every step of the process and the agency’s progress on that step available to them in an online dashboard,” she said. “They should be able to make sure that there are transparent and enforceable deadlines in this state.
“I’m committed to this transparency and efficiency, which will lower cost and reduce delays.”
Sherrill touched on a number of issues both during her time on stage and with a short conversation with the assembled media afterward.
On energy, she pledged to hold PJM “accountable” for energy costs — while indicating she is in favor of more solar (short term) and nuclear (long term) options.
Sherrill talked about her commitment to public education and affordability — especially in regard to housing and childcare.
In the post-event scrum with the media, she sidestepped a question on whether she was in favor of lowering the state’s corporate business tax, saying she wanted to find alternative ways to fund NJ Transit, which potentially could mean a reduction or elimination of the corporate transit fee.
Sherrill, who serves in the House, said issues in Washington impact potential solutions in New Jersey — and made her hesitant to commit to specific plans.
“I think our budget is going to have to flex to take care of some of the ways in which they’re cutting funding — especially as a state that pays $70 million more to the federal government than we get back in taxes a year,” she said.
“Right now, I’m fighting against a bill that’s going to just attack and harm New Jersey.”
Sherrill was specifically definitive on two key issues.
The first: How she differs from Gov. Phil Murphy — and her willingness to criticize him or his policies.
“I’ve been pretty clear on how I’d be different from Phil Murphy,” she said. “I’m upset about PJM; I’m upset that we don’t have enough housing. I’m concerned about the state health benefits plan that’s got real problems.
“I think I have always been a very independent voice. I think that’s pretty well known.”
She gave a key example.
“I stood up to the President of the United States and called for him to step aside,” she said.
Sherrill ended the night with one more specific — one that brought a laugh.
When asked what she thought of the Army parade, she said: “I didn’t see it.”
