NEW JERSEY – As a new legislative session starts in Trenton, new and returning lawmakers recently received their committee assignments for the two-year legislative session.
Sen. Parker Space will serve on the Military and Veterans’ Affairs and the Environment and Energy committees. Prior to being elected to the Senate in November, he served in the Assembly for more than 10 years.
“It is a privilege to serve on the Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee and the Environment and Energy Committee during the new legislative session,” said Space (R-Sussex). “Sussex, Morris, and Warren counties have a large veteran population whom I want to see receive the best care and services that New Jersey has to offer.”
Space said that he represents a large number of people living in rural areas, all of whom are uniquely affected by the state’s environmental laws.
“I look forward to supporting legislation that will cut excessive government red tape and make New Jersey more affordable for growing families, veterans, seniors, and small businesses,” continued Space.
Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia will serve on three committees: Education; Commerce, Economic Development, and Agriculture; and Aging and Human Services.
Fantasia is a veteran public charter school educator and administrator, and former Sussex County Commissioner who also served on the Franklin Borough Council and various municipal boards and committees. Her volunteer work includes assisting with nutrition programs for seniors.
“My time in education and local and county government has prepared me to aggressively advocate for our corner of northwest New Jersey,” Fantasia (R-Sussex) said. “I intend to bring that experience to my committee assignments to ensure that our schools receive fair funding and that parents are afforded direct involvement in the education of their children.”
“Promoting economic growth in our region includes support for our farming communities, which must not be mired down with unnecessary regulations,” she continued. “Additionally, our seniors must be afforded the same level of care and services found in our more urban districts across the state.”
Assemblyman Michael Inganamort will also serve on three committees: Oversight, Reform and Federal Relations; Transportation and Independent Authorities; and Environment, Natural Resources, and Solid Waste.
Inganamort, the former Mayor of Chester Township, has worked for the U.S. Department of the Interior and for former Congressman Scott Garrett.
“Having navigated the state’s environmental bureaucracy as mayor, while working in support of common-sense environmental practices at the federal level, I am eager to shift the paradigm in New Jersey from one of regulation to innovation,” Inganamort (R-Morris) said.
Inganamort stressed that small towns have a hard enough time complying with new and increasing state mandates.
“Now consumers are getting squeezed by mandates on the cars they drive, fuel they choose, and even bags they use – often with negative impacts on the environment and our transportation network,” continued Inganamort. “I intend to use these committee assignments to speak out for more local flexibility, more consumer choice, and more innovation for a cleaner Garden State.”
Legislative committees convene between January and June, and again in September to December, to discuss bills introduced by legislators and hear testimony from the public. Bills approved in committee may then be voted on by the full Senate and General Assembly and eventually be signed into law.
