Garden State Times

Senator Joe Pennacchio, representing New Jersey's 26th District, has announced plans to introduce a bill aimed at creating the New Jersey Department of Government Efficiency. This initiative is designed to address what he describes as "extremely wasteful state spending" in recent years.

"As inflation continues to ravage our economy, New Jerseyans need all the help they can get and the first step is identifying wasteful State spending," said Senator Pennacchio. He emphasized that the proposed legislation would help alleviate the state's affordability crisis by cutting unnecessary expenditures and ensuring efficient use of resources. The goal is to reduce taxes and fees for residents across New Jersey.

The proposed department would establish a commission tasked with streamlining government operations within one year of its formation. The commission's responsibilities include reducing bureaucracy, eliminating redundancies, and identifying potential cost savings.

"In just over a year from now, we will have a new Governor that will be taking office and our budget is projected to have billions in deficit—we should greet the new Governor with a blueprint of where and how we can find cost savings and improve efficiency," concluded Senator Pennacchio.

The composition of the commission would include members from various sectors: one member each from the New Jersey Department of the Treasury and the New Jersey State Chamber of Commerce; four public members appointed by legislative leaders; and one public member appointed by the Governor.