NJ Gov. Sherrill celebrates 100 days in office with new permit initiative

NEW JERSEY (WABC) -- Thursday marks Governor Mikie Sherrill's 100th day in office, and she's celebrating with what she is calling a 'game-changing initiative.'

A new pilot program is launching to streamline New Jersey's permitting process.

The goal is to make it faster and easier for businesses to get projects off the ground.

Governor Sherrill says this is just the start of a larger push to cut red tape and fuel economic growth across the state.

There is a laundry list of executive orders signed by Governor Sherrill to tackle what she sees as the key issues facing New Jersey residents.

Sherrill says she is keeping her promise to take action from her first day on the job to now, including freezing energy rates and advancing new technology.

"We've already approved six new solar and battery storage projects in my first two months. Projects that had been lingering for about a year," Sherrill said.

In addition, she said she has improved school funding.

"I'm delivering on my promise to protect all of our kids, especially online. My budget makes the biggest investment in K through 2nd education in state history," Sherrill said.

She also touted a victory over the president on the Gateway Tunnel, saying pressure got the project back on track.

"When it comes to Donald Trump, I'm going to stand up to him as well whenever and wherever he comes for the people of New Jersey, like when he tried to cut funding for Gateway, the biggest, most urgent infrastructure project in America. I took him to court and I won. And I took him to court again and I won. And we took him to court again. And we're about to win there. I'm very excited about how we are able to claw back money for our state," Sherrill said.

The number of items she addressed included housing needs, making government more transparent and simplifying the process to get building permits.

But how do residents rate her first 100 days?

"Where has she been? I haven't seen her," one resident said.

"I like what she is doing, especially with ICE. I don't think they should be running around like that," another said.

"I like what she is doing but I think it's really too early to tell," another resident said.

With the World Cup coming up, that may be a true test of leadership as the world gathers in New Jersey to watch the world's biggest sporting event.

Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News

Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply.