The New Jersey Business & Industry Association (NJBIA) has expressed support for two executive orders signed by Governor Mikie Sherrill following her inauguration. These orders are aimed at improving efficiency and accountability in state government operations.
Executive Order No. 4 establishes the position of Chief Operating Officer within the Office of the Governor, designed to increase efficiency, transparency, and accountability across state government. Kellie Doucette was named as New Jersey’s first COO late last year. The COO will serve as a principal advisor to the governor on strategic initiatives and operational performance, with responsibilities including efforts to enhance customer service and streamline permitting and regulatory processes.
Executive Order No. 5 creates a Cross-Agency Permitting Team within the COO office, which is intended to make state permitting more efficient by reducing project delays and costs while improving customer service for permit applicants. This order also introduces a Permitting Dashboard that will display the status of state permit applications and provide clear timeframes for review and approval processes. A Regulatory Simplification Team will work on reforming regulatory structures to further reduce delays.
NJBIA President and CEO Michele Siekerka said, “We thank Governor Sherrill and her administration for moving so quickly on both EOs to drive efficiencies and reduce permitting delays and costs, as promised.” She added, “Both initiatives send a strong message that help is on the way for businesses, their customers and residents of the state. These are very positive developments that we look forward to helping with and seeing the results of.”
Siekerka emphasized that Executive Order No. 5 aligns with Sherrill’s ‘Save You Time and Money Agenda’ by offering businesses greater expediency in permitting processes: “Having this kind of organized integration will allow for better communication between departments, which ultimately should lead to less time, costs and frustration as it relates to permitting, particularly for larger scale projects,” she said.
She also commented on the new dashboard system: “The Permitting Dashboard also creates a level of accountability for our government offices and lets our constituents know that their projects status is not lost in some black hole.” Siekerka continued: “We have previously called for similar systems to move processes along. We’re thrilled that Gov. Sherrill is taking these bold first steps to bring about better processes and transparency that our businesses and residents deserve.”
The NJBIA serves as the largest statewide employer organization in the United States representing employers from sectors such as manufacturing, retail, wholesale, contracting, services, among others. Founded in 1910 as the New Jersey Manufacturers Association, it now maintains its headquarters at 10 West Lafayette Street in Trenton. Led by President & CEO Michele Siekerka,the association provides advocacy, information resources,and cost-saving benefits while fostering partnerships between businesses,government entities,and academic institutions throughout New Jersey.It supports private-sector employers statewide through various programs designed to enhance business prosperity.