Assembly Democrats: Legislation Refocusing State's Efforts to Attract, Retain Business Advances

LEGISLATION REFOCUSING STATE'S EFFORTS TO ATTRACT, RETAIN BUSINESS ADVANCES

Measure Would Reorganize State's Commerce, Economic Growth & Tourism Commission, Transfer Division of Travel and Tourism to Department of State

(TRENTON) - Legislation Assemblymen John J. Burzichelli, Jeff Van Drew, Joseph Vas, and Upendra J. Chivukula sponsored to overhaul the workings of two key state agencies to better promote New Jersey's business community, potential for economic growth, and travel and tourism opportunities was released today by an Assembly committee.

"Giving government the tools needed to promote New Jersey as a great place to do business will greatly enhance opportunities for economic growth," said Burzichelli (D-Gloucester), chairman of the Assembly Commerce and Economic Development Committee. "We need to ensure that potential and existing businesses know New Jersey has one of the nation's best-trained and best-educated workforces, with easy access to global marketplaces."

The legislators' measure - a committee substitute for two similar bills (A-4254 and A-4263) - would implement a comprehensive reorganization plan for the current Commerce, Economic Growth & Tourism Commission as outlined to the Assembly Commerce and Economic Development Committee on May 10 by Gary Rose, head of the state Office of Economic Growth.

The first portion of the reorganization measure would refocus the Commerce, Economic Growth & Tourism Commission on its core business promotion and retention efforts, streamlining the commission's leadership by eliminating the position of Chief Executive Officer and Secretary, and placing the position's authority within the agency's Board of Directors, which would be chaired by the head of the Office of Economic Growth.  The board would then appoint an Executive Director to oversee the commission's day-to-day operations.  These changes would be reflected by renaming the agency the New Jersey Commerce Commission.

The sponsors said the reorganization efforts would ensure that the commission's work dovetails with the work of the Office of Economic Growth, which was created within the Governor's Office in 2006 to guide the state's overall economic development policy.

"New Jersey cannot afford to continue to have multiple state agencies working at cross purposes to promote business and economic growth," said Van Drew (D-Cape May).  "Streamlining our efforts will ensure that everyone is working from the same economic playbook."

The legislation also would place the Division of Travel and Tourism under the purview of the Secretary of State, a move the sponsors said would directly align New Jersey's tourism functions with the Secretary of State's ongoing arts and history promotion efforts.  State tourism is estimated to generate more than $36 billion in economic activity annually and support nearly 475,000 jobs.

"Continuing to help our tourism industry thrive is vital to the state's long-term economic health," said Vas (D-Middlesex), the vice-chair of the Assembly Commerce and Economic Development Committee.  "New Jersey is so much more than beaches and the Pinelands, something few tourists realize.  It makes good business sense to market our various artistic, historic, and natural resources as a cohesive package."

The state's Israel Commission - currently part of the Commerce, Economic Growth & Tourism Commission - would not be affected by this legislation, as it was created by Executive Order.  The sponsors noted, however, that its operations would be independently transferred to the Secretary of State's office, a move that would be consistent with the Israel Commission's mission, which is based more on culture and diplomacy than economic ties.

All other offices and programs operated by the Commerce, Economic Growth & Tourism Commission would be retained and administered by the reorganized Commerce Commission.

"These reorganization efforts will help cement the state's ability to become an effective advocate for our mulit-billion dollar economy," said Chivukula (D-Somerset).  "Effective advocacy for all the state has to offer will help send a consistent, strong message to employers everywhere that we want them in New Jersey."

The Assembly Commerce and Economic Development Committee unanimously released the measure.  It now heads to the Assembly Speaker, who decides if and when to post it for a floor vote.

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