In an op-ed published in Friday’s Bergen Record and the USA Today Network, NJBIA President & CEO Michele Siekerka makes the case for New Jersey’s job creators to cast informed votes in the upcoming gubernatorial election.
“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.”
The next governor, who is elected on Nov. 4, will be in the best position to make New Jersey more affordable and regionally competitive through strong and responsible economic and fiscal policies, she said. “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.
Siekerka urged businesspeople to make informed votes by reviewing the policy positions of candidates Mike Sherrill (D) and Jack Ciattarelli (R) on their campaign websites or googling their public comments on the issues that job creators care about most.
Voters may also wish to refer to NJBIA’s online Blueprint for a Competitive New Jersey, a 28-page policy document that offers New Jersey’s gubernatorial candidates a road map to drive innovation and prosperity, she said. NJBIA has also released a series of Blueprint Minute videos highlighting the content of the larger Blueprint document.
“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.”
