Appearing on Jersey Thing with Eric Scott on NJ101.5 this week, NJBIA President and CEO Michele Siekerka said Gov. Mikie Sherrill is already giving New Jersey’s business community optimism.
One, by signing two key EOs this week to reduce red tape. And also by her attention to governance.
“I give kudos to this now governor,” Siekerka told Scott. “During her transition period, she had us at the table. Her team reached out to us on what does business need.
“As you know, Eric, we had our Blueprint For A Competitive New Jersey with 60-some-odd policy recommendations. Many of those recommendations made their way to the table.”
On her Inauguration Day this week, Gov. Sherrill signed Executive Order No. 4, establishing the Office of the Chief Operating Officer, and Executive Order No. 5, creating a Cross-Agency Permitting Team within the COO office.
Both are consistent with the business and economic recommendations found in NJBIA’s Blueprint released last year – and both should ease permitting for New Jersey businesses, while also bringing more accountability and transparency to permitting processes.
“A business made all this investment upfront to even apply for a permit, and they’re sitting there, not able to open their door,” Siekerka told Scott. “That’s money lost. Every dollar counts, so efficiency and processes like that is welcome.”
Scott, NJ101.5 Senior Political Director who hosts Jersey Thing at 6 p.m. weeknights, said he gets the sense that Sherrill “actually does care about the nuts and bolts of how government operates.”
“Are you getting that same sense?” he asked.
“Yes, 110%,” Siekerka said. “And it starts with looking at the processes from the inside and how user-friendly and favorable they are to the user from the outside.
“What makes me optimistic about this governor, is she is very governance focused. I am known to say 10 times a week, ‘A good process yields a fair result.’
“I’m an attorney by trade. Governance is incredibly important to me, ok? She believes in that. She is intentional on governing, and we need a governor who governs, who understands process. That was not (Gov. Phil) Murphy.”
To see the full Jersey Thing interview, click here.
