By State House Bureau Chief Briana Vannozzi

They descended upon the capital from all corners of the state. About 175 mayors gathered under the gold dome for the 20th annual Mayors’ Legislative Day. The event, sponsored by the State League of Municipalities, affords local leaders a chance to network, talk about the concerns beleaguering their towns and take the legislative branch to task. Most notably absent, at least to several of those in attendance, was Gov. Chris Christie, who held a public town hall event in Westfield simultaneously.

Instead, Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno addressed the group and praised the work of the Red Tape Review Commission by outlining a report released today.

“We’re creating a smaller and smarter government,” she said of the commission’s findings. Her office is charged with getting rid of red tape, or the layers of bureaucratic rules that can make it difficult for businesses and municipalities to function.

Guadagno says the commission has collapsed nearly 2,000 titles in the Civil Service Commission since it began work in 2010.

“I have two more years to help streamline this state,” she said. Guadagno touted the efforts of the administration to improve the business climate and create more efficiency, but noted that there is still more work to be done.

A panel made up of three mayors and members of both the state Senate and Assembly held a roundtable to discuss their priorities for this legislative session and how to work together with local governing bodies to meet them. 
When the topic of sick leave reform finally rolled around, Senator Paul Sarlo (D- Wood-Ridge) told the audience he was “confident we will get this done.” He added that the governor vetoed two bills that would have immediately capped sick pay last year.

The League of Municipalities also took a moment to present a formal resolution to Assemblywoman-select BettyLou DeCroce, the widow of late Assemblyman Alex DeCroce. A teary-eyed DeCroce accepted and struggled to get out a “thank you” saying, “We are so appreciative of the support you’ve given to my family during this very hard time.”