WHEREAS, the State of New Jersey is confronting a multi-billion dollar structural budget deficit; and

WHEREAS, all levels of government play a vital role in the economic life of New Jersey; and

WHEREAS, it is imperative that services and programs throughout government be reevaluated and re-engineered in order to marshal and conserve all available resources, achieve the greatest measure of effectiveness, efficiency and cost-savings, and deliver the highest quality of governmental services; and

WHEREAS, cost-effective and functionally efficient government will benefit and enhance the State's economy, restore public confidence and allow for the continued delivery of vital programs; and

WHEREAS, as Governor, I have the responsibility and the authority to ensure that State government and its various agencies and instrumentalities operate as efficiently and as effectively as possible; and

WHEREAS, numerous State executive branch agencies and independent authorities administer aid and grant programs that provide billions of dollars in funding to county and local governments and school districts; and

WHEREAS, as Governor I have the obligation to ensure that the county and local governments and school districts that receive these State funds operate as efficiently and as effectively as possible; and

WHEREAS, it is essential that all government operations in New Jersey, including executive branch agencies, state and local independent authorities, local and county governments, and school districts, be subjected to a comprehensive, unsparing and searching examination; and

WHEREAS, such a review can ably be conducted by individuals drawn from a wide variety of walks of life, who possess the expertise, experience and skills to evaluate how government can most effectively meet the numerous demands placed on it;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JON S. CORZINE, 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 Commission on Government Efficiency and Reform pursuant to Art. V, Sec. IV, par. 1 of the New Jersey Constitution.

2. The Commission shall evaluate the budget, structure and organization of government in New Jersey, including State agencies, instrumentalities and independent authorities, local and county government and school districts, and advise the Governor on governmental restructuring, effectiveness, best practices, efficiencies, cost-saving measures, and how best to achieve economies of scale in the delivery of services and programs, at the lowest possible cost, consistent with mission and quality.

3. In its evaluation and examination of any aspect of government in New Jersey or its current structure, the Commission shall identify any measures that will bring enhanced economy, efficiency and accountability to government operations, including, but not limited to:
   1. the organization, operation and performance of State agencies, instrumentalities and authorities;

   2. the organization and delivery of effective and efficient services across all levels of governments;

   3. the need for and benefits of regionalization or consolidation of local and county governments, publicly funded school programs and school districts and the services they provide;

   4. the organization and administration of New Jersey's public workforce;

   5. the operations of the Office of Information Technology and the procurement, provision, maintenance, and supervision of information technology by State government;

   6. the accessibility, design and efficiency of higher education in New Jersey;

   7. the organization of the Department of Human Services, in light of its complex roles, functions and emerging responsibilities; and

   8. any other matter related to the organization, structure and administration of government that is likely to deliver better and higher levels of service at the lowest possible cost.

4. The Commission shall be composed of 13 individuals with expertise in government, business, labor and education who will be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Governor. The Chair of the Commission shall be designated by the Governor and shall serve as Chair at his pleasure. The Governor shall also appoint, in the same manner, additional members with expertise and experience in government, higher education, labor and the private sector, as needed, to sub-groups, which will focus in depth on any of the above-listed items or related matters, as requested by the Commission, and will report back to the Commission as required.

5. The Commission 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 other assistance available to such agency as the Commission 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 fully with the Commission within the limits of its statutory authority and to furnish it with such assistance on as timely a basis as is necessary to accomplish the purpose of this Order. The Commission may consult with experts or other knowledgeable individuals in the public or private sector on any aspect of its mission.

6. The Commission shall deliver an initial report to the Governor within three months of its first meeting. Additional reports shall be delivered on an ongoing basis in the course of the Commission's work.

7. This Order shall take effect immediately.

GIVEN, under my hand and seal this 7th day
of April, Two Thousand and Six, and of the
Independence of the United States, the Two
Hundred and Thirtieth.

/s/ Jon S. Corzine

Governor

[seal]

Attest:

/s/ Stuart Rabner