QUESTION
What problems continue to hold back New Jersey’s economy and what are the key things that need to be done to ignite a full-throttle economic recovery?
RECOMMENDATIONS
- Replenish Unemployment Insurance fund with federal pandemic aid to reduce or eliminate a payroll tax increase on employers.
- Release more of the $3 billion in federal pandemic aid to help the business community hire more people and recoup losses from the pandemic.
- Appropriate state agencies should collaborate with employers, colleges and labor organizations to enhance the talent pipeline through effective college and apprentice programs.
- More funding for child care industry and employees who can’t afford child care.
- Utilize the business community and collaborate on ways to improve the state economy in the form of quarterly meetings with the governor and legislative leaders.
- Reestablish the state Red Tape Commission to reduce regulations and pave the way for more development.
- Go into communities that are underserved and have not traditionally been part of the economy to find workers. Provide them with the training and/or the access to compete.
PANELISTS
- Tom Bergeron (moderator), Founder, Editor and Co-Owner, ROI-NJ
- Tom Bracken, President & CEO, NJ Chamber of Commerce
- Lisa Chowansky, President and Owner, HC Constructors
- Kim Hanemann, President & COO, PSE&G
- John Harmon, Founder, President & CEO, African American Chamber of Commerce of NJ
- Michele Siekerka, President & CEO, NJBIA