(TRENTON) – Assembly Speaker Sheila Y. Oliver and Assembly Republican Leader Alex DeCroce on Tuesday praised and thanked the public for offering numerous ideas to improve New Jersey during a special public hearing held at the State House.
The Assembly leaders- including Majority Leader Joseph Cryan and Republican Conference Leader Jon Bramnick – said the hearing will prove invaluable as they move forward in the new legislative session.
“This has been a great day for New Jersey and its residents,” said Oliver (D-Essex), who called for the special bipartisan hearings during her swearing-in as Assembly Speaker on Jan. 12. “I knew New Jerseyans had numerous common sense ideas to improve our state and make it more affordable, and I’m so pleased we got to tap into that talent today. I thank them for their input and look forward to using it as we shape our agenda in the months ahead.”
“Today’s public hearing proved beyond a doubt that people in New Jersey need government off their backs and out of their pockets,” said DeCroce, (R- Morris/Passaic). “People consistently told the panel that government is not the solution – in fact it is the problem. Many of the common sense suggestions offered are similar to those proposed by Gov. Christie and is the direction we should be headed. The call to make New Jersey a more affordable place to live resonated loud and clear.”
“This hearing was an outstanding example of democracy and I congratulate New Jerseyans for coming forward and speaking their mind and offering their thoughts,” said Cryan (D-Union). “We documented everything that they had to say and we will now look to incorporating their ideas into action as we push forward together on our plans to spark our economy and make our state more affordable.”
“I am pleased by the overwhelming response of those who came to Trenton and had their voices heard,” said Bramnick, (R-Union/Essex,/Morris/Somerset). “Many important issues were covered and the panel listened to a diverse group of constituents. The feedback we received is important, and the testimony provided will certainly be useful. I am glad that we were able to gather in a bipartisan manner to find out what is on the public’s mind.”
Also participating in the hearing was Assembly Speaker Pro Tempore Jerry Green (D-Union/Middlesex/Somerset), Assembly Majority Conference Leader Joan M. Quigley (D-Hudson), Assembly Budget Chairman Lou Greenwald (D-Camden) and Assembly Appropriations Chairwoman Nellie Pou (D-Passaic/Bergen).
Also participating were Assembly Republican Whip David P. Rible (R-Monmouth), Assembly Republican Budget Officer Joe Malone (R-Burlington/Mercer/Monmouth/Ocean), Assembly Republican Deputy Conference Leader Scott T. Rumana (R-Bergen/Essex/Passaic) and Assembly Deputy Republican Leader Amy Handlin (R-Monmouth/Middlesex).