Corzine Creates Task Force on Efficiency

Governor Corzine on April 7 signed an Executive Order creating the New Jersey Commission on Government Efficiency and Reform to evaluate the budget, structure and organization of New Jersey’s government.

The commission will initially consist of 13 members. It will seek best practices from other states to increase accountability, find efficiencies and cost-saving measures and determine the effectiveness of the current provision of services.

Local Units In addition, the commission will review independent authorities, local school districts, state agencies and other governmental entities. Among the issues the commission will study are the benefits of regionalization and shared services, the operation of the state’s Office of Information Technology, and the structure of New Jersey’s state workforce.

The panel will also study the accessibility and efficiency of higher education in New Jersey.

The Commission will provide the Governor with an initial report in three months and, after that, will issue reports on an ongoing basis. Richard C. Leone, who led the governor’s transition team, will chair the commission. Leone currently serves as president of the Century Foundation, a public policy research organization. He is a former state treasurer and Princeton University faculty member.