July 1, 2008 - 2:12pm

Press Release

O'Toole Bills to Streamline Government Become Law

By Andrew Pratt

Three bills sponsored by Senator Kevin O'Toole, R-District 40, were signed into law yesterday. They will provide citizens with better, more-efficient service, and lower the cost of government for taxpayers.

S-1980 eliminates the Department of Commerce and consolidates many of its operations in the Division of Business Assistance, Marketing, and International Trade, part of the Economic Development authority. The switch will save an estimated $500, 000 in the first year, and is designed to reduce the bureaucracy that businesses must negotiation to get state assistance.

S-1979 eliminates the Department of Personnel, saving the state $1.08 million in the first year. The functions of the department will be handled by other state departments, including the Department of Labor and Workforce Development.

S-472 consolidates debt collection efforts in the Treasury Department's Division of Revenue. More efficient collection of debt will save money and bring in more revenue by assuring the state more actively pursues collection of debts that are more than 90 days' overdue.

"State government should always be looking for ways to do things more efficiently and effectively," O'Toole said. "Passage of these bills will help us do both."

ANDREW PRATT can be reached via email at apratt@njleg.org.

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