An Order Establishing the New Jersey Economic Council (the "Council"), which Shall be Responsible for Facilitating the Identification and Promotion of Economic Opportunities for New Jersey and its Businesses and Residents
Issued: October 29, 2024.
Effective: October 29, 2024.
WHEREAS, throughout my tenure in office, my Administration has strived to build a stronger and fairer economy for all New Jersey residents; and
WHEREAS, in pursuit of this critical endeavor, my Administration has consistently collaborated with residents, communities, businesses, legislative partners, and public and private industry stakeholders to leverage the talent, ideas, and relationships necessary to reestablish New Jersey as an economic and innovation leader; and
WHEREAS, one of my first acts as Governor was to issue Executive Order No. 12 (2018), establishing the Jobs and Economic Opportunity Council, which was tasked with conducting a landscape analysis of then-existing economic trends and conditions, and developing new strategies to spur economic growth, reopen pathways to the middle class, and promote a sustainable economy of the future; and
WHEREAS, in 2018, with the support of the Economic Development Authority ("EDA") and key stakeholders, my Administration issued an economic development strategic plan-"The State of Innovation: Building a Stronger and Fairer Economy in New Jersey" (the "Strategic Plan"); and
WHEREAS, the Strategic Plan outlined a vision for a new and inclusive state economy driven by innovation and growth, with a focus on building sustainable jobs of the future for all residents, and fostering a more supportive business climate where small business owners, entrepreneurs, and corporate partners can thrive; and
WHEREAS, among other initiatives, the Strategic Plan proposed reforming tax incentive programs to stimulate investment in high-wage, high-growth sectors such as life sciences, financial technology, film and digital media, and clean energy; and
WHEREAS, initial efforts to implement the Strategic Plan were hampered by the global Coronavirus disease 2019 ("COVID-19") pandemic, which imposed unprecedented and massive burdens on the State's health care infrastructure and economy, and ultimately caused more economic harm than the Great Recession; and
WHEREAS, as a result of the significant emergency measures we adopted, the State made significant progress in responding to COVID-19 over time, and, as circumstances began to stabilize, my Administration undertook to reopen the economy in a manner consistent with public health guidance; and
WHEREAS, with the support of our partners in the Legislature, I was proud to sign the New Jersey Economic Recovery Act ("the Act") of 2020, P.L. 2020, c. 156, to put the State on a path of economic recovery from COVID-19 and beyond; and
WHEREAS, through the Act, New Jersey has been able to restore equity and accountability in its tax incentives programs while investing billions in the State's innovation economy, such as the film and offshore wind industries, and in small businesses and community development projects; and
WHEREAS, because of these programs, New Jersey has already realized significant economic benefits and a resurgence of development in historically distressed communities; and
WHEREAS, since 2018, New Jersey has seen small businesses increase by over 40,000 or 19%, despite a global pandemic; and
WHEREAS, in 2022 alone, the film industry injected over $ 650 million and an estimated 8,500 jobs into our State economy; and
WHEREAS, throughout my second term, my Administration has continued to engage with legislative partners and industry stakeholders on policies designed to improve the role and function of government in facilitating economic development; and
WHEREAS, these efforts culminated in certain reforms that make the legal and regulatory framework for construction permits and related approvals more transparent, P.L. 2023, c. 27, and allow for a streamlined permitting process when local officials cannot complete an inspection in a timely manner, P.L. 2022, c. 139; and
WHEREAS, more recently, I was proud to sign landmark affordable housing legislation that will streamline the process for municipalities to meet their affordable housing obligations and reduce litigation-related delays to the construction of new affordable housing, P.L. 2024, c. 2; and
WHEREAS, in recognition of these and other accomplishments made possible through the collaboration of public and private stakeholders, including community leaders, legislative partners, and business, economic, and trade associations, it is appropriate to establish a formal working group that can build upon these efforts, and further harmonize and implement shared economic goals and reforms; and
WHEREAS, the establishment of a New Jersey Economic Council will provide an effective and efficient mechanism for the continued growth of New Jersey's innovation economy, including continued progress in implementing the Strategic Plan and other priority projects that aim to benefit New Jersey residents and communities;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, PHILIP D. MURPHY, Governor of the State of New Jersey, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and by the Statutes of this State, do hereby ORDER and DIRECT:
1. There is hereby established the New Jersey Economic Council (the "Council"), which shall be responsible for facilitating the identification and promotion of economic opportunities for New Jersey and its businesses and residents.2. The Council shall consist of the following seven members: the Governor's Chief of Staff, or designee; the Governor's Chief Counsel, or designee; the Governor's Chief Policy Advisor, or designee; the Governor's Deputy Chief of Staff for Economic Growth, or designee; the State Treasurer, or designee; the Executive Director of the New Jersey Business Action Center, or designee; and the Chief Executive Officer of the New Jersey EDA, or designee.3. The Council shall be co-chaired by the Governor's Deputy Chief of Staff for Economic Growth and the Chief Executive Officer of the New Jersey EDA, or their designees. The Chairpersons shall establish such rules of operation as the Council may require.4. The Chairpersons shall designate members of the public whose backgrounds include a diverse range of business, economic, land use, environmental, and trade experience in different geographic regions of the State to participate in one or more working groups to consult with and advise the Council in performing its functions.5. All members of the Council shall serve without compensation and at the pleasure of the Governor.6. The Council shall organize and meet as soon as practicable after the appointment of its members. The Council shall meet each quarter of the fiscal year and as more frequently and practical as may be requested by the Governor or Chairpersons.7. The purposes of the Council shall be to: (a) identify and pursue opportunities and strategies to attract, expand and retain business, development and employment in New Jersey, including, but not limited to, continued efforts to implement and expand upon the 2018 Economic Development Strategic Plan;(b) develop, promote, support, and review progress on priority projects that advance New Jersey's innovation economy and longterm economic future; and(c) facilitate cross-sector partnerships with a variety of public and private stakeholders, research and academic institutions, developers, labor unions, and non-profit and community-based organizations, with a focus on continuing growth and investment in high-wage, high-growth industries.8. There is hereby established a Development Coordination Committee to support and inform the goals of the Council as it relates to advancing development projects that require a multitude of State, county, and local government approvals. The purpose of the Development Coordination Committee shall be to identify and implement administrative processes designed to: (a) streamline the intergovernmental review of complex development projects in a timely, efficient, and transparent manner;(b) improve communication amongst State, county, and local government financing, and permitting entities with respect to projects that require a coordinated sequencing of review between such entities; and(c) enhance information sharing by and between government agencies and project developers or applicants. The Development Coordination Committee shall also periodically report to the Council on recommended policies, initiatives, or reforms that may be undertaken to reduce barriers to development and/or construction project disruptions or delays.9. The Development Coordination Committee shall consist of the Governor's Deputy Chief of Staff for Economic Growth, or designee; the State Treasurer, or designee; the Commissioner of the Department of Community Affairs, or designee; the Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection, or designee; the Commissioner of the Department of Transportation, or designee; the Chief Executive Officer of the New Jersey EDA, or designee; the Executive Director of the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency, or designee; the Executive Director of the New Jersey Schools Development Authority, or designee; and the Executive Director of the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank, or designee. The Development Coordination Committee shall be co-chaired by the Governor's Deputy Chief of Staff for Economic Growth and the Chief Executive Officer of the New Jersey EDA, or their designees. All members of the Development Coordination Committee shall serve without compensation and at the pleasure of the Governor.10. The Council Chairpersons may establish and coordinate among any other committees or sub-committees they deem necessary to achieve the purposes of this Order.11. The Council and the Development Coordination Committee are authorized to call upon any department, office, division, agency or other instrumentality of this State to supply it with information or other assistance as the Council or the Development Coordination Committee deem necessary to discharge its duties under this Order. Each Executive Branch department, office, division, agency or other instrumentality of this State is hereby required, to the extent not inconsistent with law, to cooperate fully with the Council or the Development Coordination Committee and to furnish the Council and the Development Coordination Committee with such assistance on as timely as basis as is necessary to accomplish the purposes of this Order. To the extent necessary, the EDA and the Department of State shall provide professional and clerical staff to the Council and any of its committees or sub-committees.12. The Council and the Development Coordination Committee shall be purely advisory in nature and shall provide advice to the Governor and other Executive Branch departments and agencies as appropriate.13. For purposes of this Order, "Executive Branch departments and agencies" shall mean any of the principal departments in the Executive Branch of State government and any agency, authority, board, bureau, commission, division, institution, office, or other instrumentality within or created by any such department, and any independent State authority, commission, instrumentality, or agency over which the Governor exercises executive authority, as determined by the Attorney General.14. Executive Order No. 12 (2018) is hereby rescinded.15. Nothing in this Order shall be construed to supersede any federal, State, or local law.16. This Order shall take effect immediately.N.J. Admin. Code Executive Order No. 369 (2024)
Published 10/29/2024 in the New Jersey Register at 56 N.J.R. 2213(a).