Legislative Information

Question 1

What is the role of partisan staff?

Answer 1

-Like OLS but with a Partisan spin
-Research, Bill Comments, Present at Committee Meetings
- Each party in each House employs staff to assist in developing and promoting policy perspectives; coordinating activities of Leadership with committees and Legislatures. Handle media and public relations.
- A member from the staff of each party is assigned to each committee.
- Their role is to advance the policy goals of their caucus; they only work for members of their caucus

Question 2

Who is the Speaker?

Answer 2

Assemblyman Craig Coughlin

Question 3

Who is the President?

Answer 3

Senator Nick Scutari

Question 4

What is my District and who are my legislators?

Answer 4

District 30
Senator Robert Singer (R)
Assemblyman Sean Kean (R)
Assemblyman Edward Thomson (R)

Question 5

Who is the Assembly Clerk?

Answer 5

Dana Burley

Question 6

Who is the Senate Secretary?

Answer 6

Linda Metzger

Question 7

Who is the Assembly Democrat Majority Leader?

Answer 7

Assemblyman Louis Greenwald (D6)

Question 8

Who is the Senate Democrat Majority Leader?

Answer 8

Senator Teresa Ruiz (D29)

Question 9

When does re-districting happen?

Answer 9

Every 10 years based on the Federal decennial census

Question 10

What is the Fiscal Year?

Answer 10

July 1 - June 30

Question 11

When does the Governor deliver the annual budget message to Legislature?

Answer 11

2nd Tuesday in February or before

Question 12

Who is the Assembly Minority Republican Leader?

Answer 12

Assemblyman John Dimeo

Question 13

Who is the Senate Minority Republican Leader?

Answer 13

Senator Steve Oroho

Question 14

What is the annual salary for members of the legislature?

Answer 14

$49,000

Question 15

What is the annual salary for the presiding officer?

Answer 15

$65,000

Question 16

Who is the Presiding Officer?

Answer 16

The Speaker of the General Assembly = Craig Coughlin
The President of the Senate = Nicholas Scutari

Question 17

What are the Presiding Officer’s Duties?

Answer 17

• Appoint Committee Members and Chairs to Committees
• Places bills on the Committee Agenda
• Releases the Committee Agenda
• Posts to the Board List (lists of voting session of either House)
  Nothing moves in either house without the permission of the Presiding Officer.

Question 18

How much money does each legislator get for their district office?

Answer 18

$135,000

Question 19

How long is a Senator’s term?

Answer 19

Generally 4 Years
- Senators follow the 2-4-4 Cycle. The first senatorial term at the beginning of the decade (after the decennial census and redistricting occurs) is only 2 years long.
- This allows for elections from new districts as soon as possible after each reapportionment following the decennial census.
Example: Senatorial Election Years
- 2021 – 2 year term after the decade
- 2023 – 4 year term
- 2027 – 4 year term

Question 20

What are the requirements to become a Senator?

Answer 20

• At least 30 years old
• A citizen of the US
• a Resident of NJ for 4 years prior to Election

Question 21

What are the requirements to become an Assemblyman/woman?

Answer 21

• At least 21 years old
• A United States Citizen
  -A resident of NJ for 2 years prior to election
  -Reside in District for 1 year prior to Election (not applicable for a district that has been newly reapportioned)

Question 22

How much can a legislator be gifted from a lobbyist?

Answer 22

$250 per year

Question 23

Where do members get their benefits through?

Answer 23

Go to their House Secretary or Clerk

Question 24

Which legislators are entitled to a Federal tax deduction when doing business in Trenton?

Answer 24

It is available to Legislators whose residence is more than 50 miles from the State Capitol building.

Additional Information: This is per diem for each legislative day and sometimes intervening days (bridge days). (legislative day is when it is a session day, committee meeting, or on legislator is recorded as present)

Question 25

Who are lobbyists/governmental affairs officials?

Answer 25

They are paid professionals or who regularly act on behalf of their employers to influence legislation, including by testifying, by advocating or opposing legislation (in a committee meeting)