WHEREAS, the public interest of the citizens of the State of New Jersey would be enhanced by the development of strategies to increase economic growth and to create job opportunities; and

WHEREAS, the business community of New Jersey has expressed its interest in establishing a collaborative relationship with New Jersey State government to develop strategies to maximize the State's economic growth and create job opportunities for the citizens of New Jersey; and

WHEREAS, the goal of economic growth is critical for assuring all citizens of New Jersey the opportunity to achieve a high quality of life; and

WHEREAS, the development and coordination of economic growth policies necessitates consultation and collaboration among New Jersey State government, the private business sector and labor and education, among others; and

WHEREAS, it is declared to be the public policy of this State to encourage economic growth, to promote full employment, to encourage business development and expansion and to coordinate and utilize the State government's policies, plans, functions and resources.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JAMES J. FLORIO, 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 Council on Job Opportunities (hereinafter "the Council") which shall be composed of individuals appointed by the Governor and shall be representative of citizens and groups in the State having an interest in economic growth and the creation of job opportunities.

2. The Council shall make assessments of government policy and advise the Governor on economic policy matters including, but not limited to, the following areas: a) business retention and attraction; b) work force quality; c) government regulations; d) capital investment/infrastructure; e) international trade; f) financing strategies for economic development; g) small business initiatives; h) manufacturing; and i) high technology and research development.

3. Additionally, the Council shall:

a. Evaluate the impact of international and federal economic policies in terms of their effect on the economy of the State;

b. Evaluate the State's economic condition;

c. Analyze and assess the impact of the State budget on the economy of the State;

d. Recommend policies and programs to promote economic growth and job opportunities; and

e. Gather and serve as a clearing house for timely and authoritative information concerning the economic growth and development of the State.

4. The Council shall be composed of 15 individuals appointed by the Governor who are representative of the State's business, education and labor communities and individuals who are knowledgeable in the field of economics. The Chair of the Council shall be designated by the Governor and shall serve at his pleasure.

5. The Council shall annually file a written report to the Governor and more frequently if so determined by the Governor or the Council.

6. Council members shall serve for three years, except that, of the initial members appointed pursuant to this Executive Order, five shall serve for terms of one year, five shall serve for terms of two years and five shall serve for terms of three years. Any individual appointed to fill an unexpired term shall serve for the unexpired portion of that term.

7. The Council shall coordinate its work with existing advisory groups including, but not limited to, the following: the State Employment and Training Commission, the Commission on Science and Technology, the State Planning Commission and the Transportation Executive Council.

8. The Council is authorized to call upon any department, office, division or agency of this State to supply it with data and any other information, personnel or assistance it deems necessary to discharge its duties under this Order. Each department, office, division or agency of this State is hereby required, to the extent not inconsistent with law, to cooperate with the Council and furnish it with such assistance as is necessary to accomplish the purpose of this Order. The Council may seek to recruit experts to serve on the staff on a loaned executive basis. These loaned executives may come from State government, the private sector, labor and education. The Attorney General shall act as legal counsel to the Council.

9. The Council is authorized to establish task forces or work-groups to address specific issues as they arise and develop policy recommendations pertaining to those issues.

10. This Order shall take effect immediately.

GIVEN, under my hand and seal this
6th day of February in the Year of
Our Lord, one thousand nine hundred
and ninety-two, and of the Independence
of the United States, the two hundred
and sixteenth.

/s/ Jim Florio
GOVERNOR

Attest:

/s/
M. Robert DeCotiis
Chief Counsel to the Governor