In a recent op-ed published on BINJE, Michele Siekerka, president and CEO of the New Jersey Business and Industry Association (NJBIA), highlighted Governor Mikie Sherrill’s approach during her first six weeks in office. Siekerka noted that Sherrill has prioritized affordability through early executive orders and has expressed an intention to focus on fiscal discipline ahead of her first budget address scheduled for March 10.
Siekerka stated that the administration has been open to input from the business community, describing the process as constructive even when disagreements occur. “The Sherrill administration has taken a thoughtful and deep policy approach to improving the Garden State,” Siekerka said. She pointed out that some goals in Sherrill’s transition reports align with recommendations previously made by NJBIA in its Blueprint for a Competitive New Jersey. Other proposals were described as “fresh ideas we can get behind to bring much-needed improvement to our business climate,” according to Siekerka.
Among the ten transition team reports released by the administration, Siekerka recommended that business community members pay particular attention to four areas: Fiscal Responsibility and Government Accountability; Saving You Time and Money: Getting Government to Work for New Jerseyans; Driving New Jersey Forward: Economic Development and Innovation; and Jobs, Opportunity, and Prosperity for All.
“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,” Siekerka said.
The NJBIA is recognized as the nation’s largest statewide employer association, representing private-sector employers across various industries throughout New Jersey (official website). The organization works to advance competitive excellence and financial success for its members while providing essential information, advocacy, cost-saving benefits, and facilitating partnerships among businesses, government entities, and academic institutions (official website).
For those interested in reading Siekerka’s full op-ed on BINJE, it is available online.