Pub. 20 2021-2022 Issue 3

N E W J E R S E Y C O A L I T I O N O F A U T O M O T I V E R E T A I L E R S 13 W W W . N J C A R . O R G new jersey auto retailer 5 QUESTIONS continued on page 14 possible or face a ticket and fine. Drivers would also have points added to their records if they violated the law three times. Greatest Disappointment: Assemblywoman Downey and I agree that sometimes it takes too long to get common-sense bills signed into law. To help the residents of New Jersey, I will always advocate to make the legislative process move with the speed a bill deserves. Changing something in Trenton : I would love to see more communication between legislators creating laws and the groups or people the bills would impact. If we can have a clear, honest conversation with each other, we will be able to enact common-sense laws that will make an impact on their lives, as opposed to surface-level legislation that may or may not be harmful to the very group it is supposed to help. What are the legislative priorities, issues or areas of concern on which you would like to focus your attention? By being a member of the Labor Committee, I am always looking for ways to get New Jerseyans back on their feet after being laid off due to this pandemic. The labor force needs help, and I fully understand the predicament people are facing when it comes to paying rent, buying food for family members, and just overall trying to make it to the next month. Coming out of the pandemic, what are the lessons you’ve learned, and how do you think those lessons should guide public policymakers going forward? In a time of public emergency, it is more important than ever to listen to constituents. We want to be a trusted source of information during confusing and troubling times. Each and every individual who contacted us with a concern, a request, or a question, was answered as quickly as possible. Communication with constituents is always key. It is a legislator’s job to value every opinion that comes to us. Because we had constant contact with the community throughout the pandemic, constituents were able to give our office incredible ideas on how we could help serve more and more people. Even in a virtual world, we could see every day how our community was coming together in a time of need helping out fellow neighbors. Moving forward, we will only continue to build on those relationships within the community and keep listening to concerns, questions and requests to help New Jersey to the best of our ability here in the 11th Legislative District. What was the make and model of the vehicle in which you learned how to drive? Also, what was the first (new or used) vehicle you owned? Buick Bonneville, 1966 Pontiac Lemans Assemblywoman Joann Downey What inspired you to run for office and become a legislator? My parents didn’t go to college. They worked very hard for my brothers, my sister and me to have a better life. My sister and I were the first to go to college in my family. I was practicing law working for the attorney general’s office, where I saw so many people for whom the system was not working. I knew I could do more to help people, so I went to school at night and became a licensed social worker. Too many people in this community are working just as hard as my parents and family, yet they are not getting ahead. As a lawyer, social worker, and a mom, I was fed up with the fact that we couldn’t get more done for working families. So in 2015, I didn’t hesitate to take on the challenge to get a seat at the table and try to make real change. My friend and running mate, Eric Houghtaling, believed in me since day one, and together, we knocked on hundreds of doors across our district to tell them why we were running and what we believed. Name your greatest achievement and greatest disappointment as a legislator. If you could change one thing in Trenton, what would it be? Greatest achievement: As Chair of the Assembly Human Services Committee, I embrace overseeing the entities tasked with serving our residents with disabilities, mental health challenges, unique health situations or difficult financial situations. It is essential to ensure that our government protects our most vulnerable residents. In recent years, New Jersey came one step closer to ending the gender wage gap for good after my salary history bill was signed into law. With this new law, we’re one step closer to making sure that if you work hard in New Jersey, you’ve earned a fair paycheck. Greatest Disappointment: While the Legislature works to get as many bills passed into law to help our fellow New Jerseyans, sometimes the timeline of getting legislation moved through the Legislature and to the Governor’s desk can take a very long time. Bills that, on the surface, seem like common sense can sometimes take years to get signed into law. However, I will never stop advocating and pushing to help the residents of New Jersey live a better life. Changing something in Trenton: While more and more women get elected to office each year, I will always push for that number to grow. I hope Trenton continues to value the perspective of people from all different types of backgrounds and represents New Jersey’s Assemblyman Houghtaling’s Bio: Assemblyman Eric Houghtaling has represented New Jersey’s 11th Legislative District since 2016. He serves as the Deputy Majority Leader, as well as Chair of the Assembly Agriculture Committee, Vice-Chair of the Assembly Oversight, Reform and Federal Relations Committee, and member of the Assembly Tourism, Gaming and the Arts Committee.