What the heck is a State Legislator?
How do they impact me?
Pro tip: State Government impacts you more than the Federal Government!
In a nutshell…
The New Jersey Legislators make up the the state’s lawmaking body.
The Legislature is bicameral (two houses):
· Senate – 40 members (1 per legislative district)
· General Assembly – 80 members (2 per legislative district)
State legislators are primarily responsible for enacting state laws, crafting the state's budget, overseeing the state's government operations, and representing the people who live in their district. Here are some specifics in a nutshell:
· Help create the State Budget
· Propose ideas for new laws or make changes to current laws
· Hold Committee hearings to discuss bills that impact:
Education- set education policies, allocate funding, establish academic standards, determine graduation requirements, and oversee teacher certification processes.
Public Safety - Maintaining law and order through State Police, emergency services, and managing the corrections system.
Transportation - Developing and maintaining state transportation infrastructure, including roads and public transit.
Health and Human Services - Providing healthcare services, social welfare programs, and support for vulnerable populations.
Housing - oversees various aspects of housing, including affordable housing, rental assistance, and homelessness prevention. Also sets standards and regulations for housing.
Environmental Protection - Enforcing regulations to protect natural resources and promote sustainability.
Economic Development - Supporting business growth, job creation, and community development initiatives.
Budget - Managing the state budget to fund public services.
Regulation of Businesses - Licensing and regulating various industries to ensure public safety and fair practices.
Local Government Support - Assisting municipalities and counties in governance and resource management.
Judiciary – approve (or not) the Governor’s nominations of judges for State Courts
Veterans Affairs - oversees state military preparedness, National Guard activities, veterans' benefits and its budget and operations.
· Oversee how the governor and state agencies carry out laws
· Approve or reject judicial appointments made by the governor
· Judges
· Cabinet Secretaries and heads of state agencies
· Members of Board and Commissions
The NJ State Legislature mirrors the structure of our Federal Government. Our Executive Branch, the Governor, Lt. Governor, Cabinets, and State Departments oversee administration of the government. Laws created by the State Legislature can impact the state, and provide influence regarding federal laws, in areas like voting rights.
We think it’s important to compare the difference between State Government, and Federal Government, for a little more perspective. Most laws created at the Federal level are influenced by the laws and public support that come from the States.