In her first month of office, Governor Mikie Sherrill has drawn plaudits from Tom Bracken, president and CEO of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce (NJCC). He released a statement regarding her recent actions.
“Less than a month into Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s administration, there is already a palpable sense of optimism across New Jersey’s business community,” stated Bracken.
“Early outreach from the governor, Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell and key members of the administration has been positive, robust and refreshingly open — signaling what many of us have hoped for: a true partnership between state leadership and the employer community.”
On Jan. 23, Gov. Sherrill signed Executive Order No. 7, placing a 90-day pause on the proposal and adoption of new rules and regulations.
“I am committed to putting New Jersey residents first and ensuring our state government truly works for the people it serves,” said Sherrill of the executive order. “This means breaking down red tape, eliminating bureaucracy and saving New Jerseyans’ time and money.”
“We also fully embrace the governor’s bold and decisive early actions,” stated Bracken.
“Pausing regulations for a 90-day review demonstrates a willingness to listen and reassess policies that directly affect employers.”
Bracken also acknowledged that Gov. Sherrill faces several challenges.
“Gov. Sherrill inherited an extraordinarily complex set of challenges — from fiscal pressures and infrastructure needs to workforce shortages and competitiveness concerns,” he said.
“At the same time, she has had to assemble an entirely new leadership team. That is no small undertaking.”
At the New Jersey Business & Industry Association’s (NJBIA) Public Policy Forum on Jan. 30, Gov. Sherrill called for closer collaboration with business, streamlined government and a renewed focus on competitiveness.
She also told the attending business community that affordability and the ease of doing business in New Jersey would be central priorities.
Also on Jan. 30, the governor named Kevin Jarvis as her nominee to be the next commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
He will lead efforts to expand access to workforce training programs, facilitate higher education and business partnerships and pathways, improve the quality and efficiency of government services, increase career opportunities for individuals with disabilities and continue to protect New Jersey workers.
“The New Jersey Chamber of Commerce truly appreciates the magnitude of these responsibilities, and we are encouraged by the talented staff being put in place to help guide our state forward,” said Bracken.
In addition, Bracken lauded Sherrill for supporting New Jersey and New York in suing the Trump administration for withholding Gateway Tunnel funding.
On Feb. 9, a federal judge temporarily blocked President Trump’s freeze of federal funds for the project, which may resume.
“Every time the Trump administration gets involved, costs go up, and working people suffer,” said Gov. Sherrill. “The illegal attack on the Gateway Tunnel is yet another example. New Jersey will not back down from this fight.
“If this project stops, 1,000 workers will immediately lose their jobs, and hundreds of thousands of commuters will lose the chance at finally having reliable train service that makes their lives easier.”
“Her efforts to restore funding to the Gateway Tunnel underscore a clear understanding of what is at stake,” said Bracken. “Gateway is imperative to our region’s economic future and long-term success, and leadership on this issue matters.
Strong leadership is mandatory if New Jersey is going to get back on a track toward growth and prosperity — and we are seeing exactly that in these first weeks of the governor’s term.
“These goals are achievable, but they require collaboration, transparency and sustained commitment. The early momentum we are seeing gives us reason to believe that this administration understands what employers need to succeed and is prepared to work alongside us to deliver real results.”
