State
of New Jersey
Executive
Order #31
Governor James
E. McGreevey
WHEREAS, faith-based
community organizations are among New Jersey's most valuable resources;
and
WHEREAS, faith-based
community organizations play an indispensable role in meeting the fundamental
needs of many New Jersey citizens; and
WHEREAS, the State
must ensure that its efforts to assist faith-based programs are as strong,
coordinated and effective as possible in light of current budgetary circumstances;
and
WHEREAS, it is vital
for the State to provide an effective mechanism for guaranteeing active
participation by representatives of the faith-based community concerning
the formulation and implementation of government programs to assist faith-based
organizations; and
WHEREAS, the State
will foster the growth of faith-based initiatives by integrating and coordinating
its existing faith-based initiatives with the network of resources which
are currently available within the Department of State; and
WHEREAS, it is also
appropriate to create an advisory commission comprised of Cabinet officials,
representatives of the faith-based community, as well as representatives
of the business community, to provide recommendations for coordinating
and maximizing the effectiveness of the State's efforts to foster faith-based
programs and initiatives;
NOW THEREFORE, I,
JAMES E. MCGREEVEY, Governor of the State of New Jersey, by virtue of
the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the Statutes of this
State, do hereby ORDER and DIRECT:
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There is hereby
established an Office of Faith-Based Initiatives in the Department
of State.
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The Office of
Faith-Based Initiatives currently in the Department of Community Affairs
is abolished and all of its functions, powers, duties and responsibilities,
except as herein otherwise provided, are continued in the Office of
Faith-Based Initiatives established under this Executive Order.
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All appropriations
and other moneys available and to become available to the Office of
Faith-Based Initiatives abolished under this Executive Order are hereby
continued in the Office of Faith-Based Initiatives established under
this Executive Order, and shall be available for the objects and purposes
for which appropriated, subject to any terms or conditions of such
appropriations.
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Employees of
the Office of Faith-Based Initiatives abolished under this Executive
Order shall become employees of the Office of Faith-Based Initiatives
established under this Executive Order, and shall retain their present
employment status under Title 11A and their collective negotiations
status.
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The transfer
of personnel, appropriations, other funds, records, equipment and
other property from the Department of Community Affairs to the Department
of State shall be effectuated pursuant to the "State Agency Transfer
Act," P.L. 1971, c.375 (C. 52:14D-1 et seq.).
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The Office of
Faith-Based Initiatives established under this Executive Order shall
be managed by a Director, who shall be appointed by, and serve at
the pleasure of, the Secretary of State.
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Additionally,
there is hereby created an Advisory Commission on Faith-Based Initiatives.
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The Advisory
Commission on Faith-Based Initiatives shall be comprised of twenty-three
(23) members to be appointed by the Governor as follows: the Commissioner
of Community Affairs, or her designee; the Commissioner of Education,
or his designee; the Commissioner of Human Services, or her designee;
the Commissioner of Labor, or his designee; the Secretary of State,
or her designee; the Secretary and CEO of Commerce, or his designee;
the Commissioner of Corrections, or his designee; the Attorney General,
or his designee; and fifteen (15) public members. The Governor shall
appoint the Chair of the Commission.
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The Director
of the Office of Faith-Based Initiatives established under this Executive
Order shall serve as Executive Director of the Advisory Commission
on Faith-Based Initiatives.
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The role of
the Advisory Commission on Faith-Based Initiatives shall be to advise
the Governor regarding matters affecting the public faith-based organizations
including, but not limited to, making recommendations to the Governor
concerning the future of existing State programs and initiatives.
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The Advisory
Commission on Faith-Based Initiatives shall report periodically to
the Governor and provide him with information and recommendations
for his consideration.
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All agencies
of State government are directed to cooperate fully with the Office
of Faith-Based Initiatives and the Advisory Commission on Faith-Based
Initiatives, both established under this Executive Order, to promote
and coordinate appropriate programs and initiatives.
This Order shall
take effect immediately.
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GIVEN, under
my hand and seal this
12th day of August in the Year of Our
Lord, Two Thousand and Two, and of
the Independence of the United States,
the Two Hundred and Twenty-Seventh.
/s/ James
E. McGreevey
Governor
[seal]
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Attest:
/s/ Paul A. Levinsohn
Chief Counsel to the Governor
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