What are the legislative priorities, issues or areas of concern on which you would like to focus your attention? Legislative priorities for this session area: • Affordability for residents to live, work and play in New Jersey • Affordability for our businesses to prosper and grow • Retention of jobs/workforce • Infrastructure - Technology, Transportation, and Roads • Veterans, animal protections and children. • Mental and physical healthcare and childcare • Human Trafficking issues • Cybersecurity issues and safety for families, businesses, schools etc. Coming out of the pandemic, what are the lessons you’ve learned and how do you think those lessons should guide public policy makers going forward? Lessons learned from the pandemic are voluminous. We learned to move forward despite the pandemic. We learned just how our life can be altered when businesses and schools are impacted, in addition to a lack of healthcare and the suspension of everyday luxuries. Learning to adapt to a new normal that may feel the same, but is not the same. As a policy maker the instability of our State and family budgets, a workforce crisis, business losses and lack of in-school studies had on our residents. Our priorities shifted towards affordability, the importance of healthcare, work loss and the need for quality education. Highlighting improvements needed for our infrastructure, our technology, which needs over hauling, and our businesses need help and resources to get up and running. Our economy needs strengthening to keep our communities moving forward. As a legislator I learned just how strong New Jerseyans are in times of crisis and can come together to help each other. 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? The car I learned to drive in was my dad’s Cadillac Town Car — a huge car. My very first car I owned was a 1968 red Mustang with a black stripe when I was a senior in high school. Assemblywoman Murphy’s Bio Democrat Representing Legislative District 7 Counties: Burlington Municipalities: Beverly, Bordentown, Bordentown Township, Burlington, Burlington Township, Cinnaminson, Delanco, Delran, Edgewater Park, Fieldsboro, Florence, Moorestown, Mount Laurel, Palmyra, Riverside, Riverton, Willingboro Legislative Service General Assembly, 2018–present Majority Whip, 2022–present Deputy Majority Leader, 2020-2021 Committees Judiciary, Vice-Chair Budget Financial Institutions and Insurance Assemblywoman MARILYN PIPERNO 11th Legislative District What inspired you to run for office and become a legislator? For me, it was quite organic. As my children entered school it was a natural transition, as a parent, to get more involved in civic organizations. I wouldn’t classify this advocacy and action as political because the motivation was purely for the safety of my children and family, but it certainly started me down that path. As the effects of the state’s school funding cuts impacted my children and our friends, family, and neighbors, it motivated me to learn more, ask common-sense questions, and begin holding people accountable. The 2021 election year offered an opportunity to join a grassroots effort to unseat stale incumbents with voting records that were in direct opposition to our children’s needs. I was happy to throw my hat in the ring and try to make a difference. What is your greatest achievement and greatest disappointment as a legislator? If you could change one thing in Trenton, what would it be? As a freshman legislator with two real months of work; I’m not quite able to express a beaming accomplishment or belabor the frustration of disappointment just yet. What I can say in my limited time, is the genuine need to revisit just about all areas of over-regulation and bureaucracy that are strangling businesses and restricting real growth. If our representatives could agree to work together to reduce costs for businesses and families and make NJ affordable, that would be a great start. What are the legislative priorities, issues or areas of concern on which you would like to focus your attention? I hope to see a real effort and commitment from both parties to put our constituents and New Jersey first as opposed to following strict party-line agendas. Writing legislation that recognizes fiscal responsibility and supports businesses and taxpayers will be a primary focus. And an improved school funding formula should be a priority for all in the State House. The effects of the growing renewable energy sector and Governor Murphy’s Energy Master Plan need to be examined for their impact on businesses and families. Coming out of the pandemic, what are the lessons you’ve learned and how do you think those lessons should guide public policy makers going forward? We need to amend the Governor’s Executive Order privileges and return the legislature to an equal branch of government. 17 N J C A R . O R G new jersey auto retailer
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