What inspired you to run for office and become a legislator?
Having served in many different roles in the public policy arena, I learned along the way that I have a lot to offer. Not just my knowledge of the job, culture, and environment, but my temperament and what it means to be a leader.

It’s someone who brings people together in a positive, goal-oriented way. And, I have been doing that my entire life.

What is your greatest achievement and greatest disappointment as a legislator? If you could change one thing in Trenton, what would it be?
There’s so much I want to accomplish while serving in the Legislature, but I’m already proud of how effective I’ve been as a member of the Minority party. And, when my bills are stolen by the other side, then I really know I’m making a difference.

The one thing I’d like to see change in Trenton is the partisan politics — both from within our respective caucuses and throughout our institutions. That’s the one thing I’d change with a myriad of ways to attack the problem.

For a conversation starter, how about longer terms with limits and more opportunities for the members to convene. Maybe it’s refusing to let anyone leave the room until a compromise can be reached!

What are the legislative priorities, issues or areas of concern on which you would like to focus your attention?
Fairness. Fairness in our education system, in our infrastructure, our tax code! We the people are responsible for liberty and justice for all and that can mean that there’s a safety net in times of adversity, a head-start when needed, or even a second chance. It is up to the individual to determine the rest.

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?
Policymaking needs to be intentional, deliberative, and collaborative, never losing focus on the greater good — even in the midst of a crisis. It goes back to what it means to be a leader. Do you have core principles that you will stick by no matter how rough the seas become?

What we saw during the pandemic was fly-by-night decisions being made. And no pun intended; but, really, COVID only spreads after 10 pm? When the decisions start to make no sense — like, big box stores remain open, but you cannot go to your local hardware store to get what you need — people lose confidence in their leaders. And as time went on, you saw winners and losers at every turn. The unfairness engendered anger, and rightfully so.

It was awful to see neighbors against neighbors, school districts against school districts, business owners against business owners, at a time when we needed to be pulling together.

No hearings were held — just press conferences announcing ever-changing and inconsistent, unscientifically-based directives. We were held captive by an imbalance of power. Two years later, no investigative committee has been called to review lessons learned. What troubles me the most is how much our children have suffered. Those critical developmental years, they cannot get them back.

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?
Growing up in Brooklyn, I didn’t even think to ask my parents for a car. When I went away to college in Buffalo, New York, I took a driver’s ed course that quickly got interrupted by the notorious winter weather. I failed the parallel parking portion of the test and didn’t go back. I was 21 and attending graduate school in Washington, D.C., when I finally got my license, which I needed since I finally needed a car, which was a black Honda Civic.