TRENTON – Senator Paul A. Sarlo announced today that on Monday, the Senate Legislative Oversight Committee will have its first meeting to focus on business and manufacturing interests in New Jersey at 10:00 A.M. in Committee Room 1 in the Statehouse Annex.
“We need to foster and cultivate New Jersey’s manufacturing industry, and the new Senate Legislative Oversight Committee will examine how best to meet the industry’s unique needs in the Garden State,” said Senator Sarlo, D-Bergen, Essex and Passaic, who will serve as Chairman of the new Committee. “Despite manufacturing’s prominent role in our economy, providing 350,000 jobs to the State, New Jersey has been consistently rated poorly by business advocacy groups. We will look for ways to turn that reputation around.”
At its first meeting, the Committee will take testimony on promoting a healthy business environment, specifically the manufacturing sector. The Committee will hear from Commissioner Bradley M. Campbell of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP); Commissioner Susan Bass Levin of the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA); Virginia S. Bauer, the CEO and Secretary of the New Jersey Commerce, Economic Growth and Tourism Commission; and New Jersey Economic Development Authority CEO Caren S. Franzini, as well as other interested parties.
“One of our most vital tasks will be to find a middle ground for environmental interests and business interests,” said Senator Sarlo. “I’m optimistic that we can create a more friendly business climate without jeopardizing environmental protections already in place. Environmental protection and business growth are not two mutually exclusive concepts.”
Senator Sarlo added that the committee will focus on local issues and initiatives that will benefit manufacturers and business in New Jersey.
“In today’s global economy, we have to recognize that there are some macroeconomic factors that affect business that are completely out of our hands,” said Senator Sarlo. “That said, however, I think we can focus our attention towards the microeconomic side of things, offering growth incentives and credits to maintain our current manufacturing strength and add to it. By cutting through bureaucracy and red tape, we will be able to give the business and manufacturing community the space to grow in the Garden State.”
Along with Senator Sarlo serving as the Committee Chairman, the Committee members include: Senator Raymond J. Lesniak, D-Union, serving as Vice Chair; Senator Nia H. Gill, D-Essex and Passaic; Senator Gerald Cardinale, D-Bergen; and Senator Joseph M. Kyrillos, R-Monmouth and Middlesex.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE SENATE’S CALENDAR FOR MARCH 14, 2005