“We must make sure that state residents have access to jobs and opportunities that will allow them to contribute to our economy,” Governor Murphy said. “In order to get the economy right, we need to make informed decisions about the path forward in New Jersey. I look forward to hearing the Council’s recommendations and beginning the process of building a stronger and fairer economy in our state.”

The executive order will mandate that the Council formulate recommendations related to national and state economic trends, possible government action to expand employment opportunities, sources for infrastructure funding, priorities for federal and state-funded programs, and the development of software technology to improve services for job seekers.

Members of the Jobs and Economic Opportunity Council will include Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver, the State Treasurer, Commissioner of Education, Commissioner of Labor, Secretary of Higher Education, CEO of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, Commissioner of Banking and Insurance, and the Director of the John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development at Rutgers University. The Governor’s Chief of Staff, Chief Counsel, Chief Policy Advisor, and Deputy Chief of Staff for Economic Growth will also be on the Council.

The order further requires department and agency heads state-wide to cooperate with the Council.

Text of Executive Order 12 is online.