With early voting underway and Election Day approaching, Michele Siekerka, President and CEO of the New Jersey Business & Industry Association (NJBIA), is calling on members of the state’s business community to participate in the upcoming gubernatorial election.
In a video posted to NJBIA’s social media accounts, Siekerka stated: “You get to pick the next governor, but we need to make sure that it’s one who is pro-business, one that is going to put business at the center. Please visit both candidates’ websites. Be an informed voter. And be sure when you learn what these candidates are about, that you share it with your friends, neighbors and community.”
Siekerka also published an op-ed in regional news outlets urging job creators across New Jersey to vote with awareness of issues affecting their businesses. “Job creators across our great state of New Jersey have voiced their challenges in running their businesses, how the lack of affordability and regional competitiveness threatens to leave their companies, their workforce and our economy behind,” Siekerka said. “But together, our job creators can make a difference through exercising their voice and their vote.”
She emphasized that the governor elected on November 4 will have significant influence over policies impacting affordability and economic competitiveness in New Jersey. “It is imperative that our job creators not only get out to the polls but use their circles of influence to encourage others to do so as well,” she said.
NJBIA has developed a policy document titled Blueprint for a Competitive New Jersey. This 28-page publication provides recommendations for making the state more innovative and prosperous by guiding candidates on key priorities for businesses. The association has also produced short videos summarizing sections of this blueprint.
“We are encouraged that both gubernatorial candidates have shown great interest in this document since we presented it to them in June,” Siekerka said. “And with Election Day right around the corner, we ask employers to give the videos or our Blueprint a look to understand how we have advised our next governor on the priorities of New Jersey’s business community.”
