By CHRIS BISHOP
Burlington County Times

New Jersey lost 10,900 private-sector jobs in November, raising the number of job losses for the fall to more than 27,000, according to a recent state Department of Labor employment report.

"These continuing job losses are disappointing," Philip Kirschner said. "Businesses are trying to survive in a persistently weak economy, and that is showing up in the state's unemployment statistics."

Kirschner predicted the recession could carry over into next year and beyond without what he called a fundamental change in direction.

He is clearly concerned, as well he should be.

The Moorestown resident is president of the New Jersey Business and Industry Association, which has 22,000 members, the majority of which are small.

It's his job to fight for the cause of business, big and small.

He's not an alarmist, but it's clear to him that hopes for prosperity returning soon to the Garden State are premature.

"The length of this recession and the depth of it is something we haven't seen in decades," the South Philadelphia native said. "It's cut across just about every industry."

Kirschner, 57, assumed his duties as president of the association in 2003, taking over from Joseph E. Gonzalez Jr., and he is the ninth president in the association's 99-year history.

An attorney, he was director of government affairs with the New Jersey School Boards Association before joining the Trenton-based business association.

He also served as executive director of the New Jersey State Bar Association. He received his law degree from Rutgers University Law School in Camden, graduating with honors in 1976, and his bachelor's from American University in Washington.

The past year has been tough for the economy, and Kirschner sees challenges ahead despite the inauguration of a new governor.

A nagging problem is the sheer cost of doing business in New Jersey, never known for low taxes or insurance costs.

"Overall New Jersey has to become a more affordable state for business," Kirschner said. "It's very expensive. If we're going to be competitive in the region with Pennsylvania and New York, we must get the cost of doing business down."

He said the state has too many regulations, fees and licenses.

For example, regulations at the state Department of Environmental Protection slow down development.

"It takes twice as long to get a shovel in the ground as it does in New York, which is pretty strict," Kirschner said.

He further pointed to the example of Massachusetts, which promises to have an application reviewed within six to eight months.

"Even if the answer is no, you have the answer and you can move on," Kirschner said.

Yet whatever the hurdles for business, the state has several positive traits, most of all its highly skilled workforce.

New Jersey also has a great transportation system, diverse industry, excellent schools and a good location in the Northeast, he said.

The workforce brings Kirschner back to the state's troubles.

"We are going to have to get the state budget under control," he said. "With an $8 billion deficit, it puts more pressure on the towns to raise taxes."

That makes property taxes go up even more, making it harder for workers to live here, he said.

"We can't afford to lose good people," he said. "For a lot of people, particularly with our college graduates, it's hard for them to afford to live here."

There are bright spots, the business leader pointed out, such as the manufacturing sector, of which there are 4,000 members in the association.

Kirschner said the emerging green technology - such as developing alternative fuels and new ways of building using recycled materials - will produce more jobs, though it will take time.

The state's so-called brownfields, former industrial sites that need cleanup, can become part of the jobs equation when the economy revives, he said.

"The future for that kind of development is very good, especially in North Jersey, where they don't have the land," he said.

In the meantime Kirschner looks forward to serving the members of the business community.

"I really love it," he said. "I get to interact with so many different businesspeople and learn about their problems and what the association can do for them. It is very worthwhile."