Schepisi has been at the forefront of addressing the state’s affordable housing and overdevelopment crisis, and is the sponsor of a package of bills to make our schools safer, including as a sponsor of the law which allows for special class retired police officers to be security guards in our schools. Her legislation (A1627) to protect our volunteer firefighters, EMT’s and other emergency volunteers and allow them to continue volunteering in their municipalities without fear of losing their state pension if they retire from their paying job was unanimously approved by the Assembly at its last voting session. .

“Protecting our citizens has always been my priority,” said Schepisi (R-Bergen). “Whether it’s our children or taxpayers, as legislators it’s our responsibility to look out for their best interests. To be recognized for this work by members of the New Jersey Conference of Mayors is very humbling. I enjoy working with such an outstanding organization whose input I highly value as we work to improve the wellbeing of all our residents.”

Schepisi will be presented with the award at the organization’s annual conference in Atlantic City on Thursday, April 26, at the Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa.

An assemblywoman since 2012, Schepisi is the sponsor of an eight-bill package shifting all affordable housing obligations to the state, and directing the Council on Affordable Housing to determine which municipalities are best fit to build. She also introduced a package of 10 bills to make New Jersey’s classrooms the safest in the nation in response to the Parkland Florida shooting in February. Schepisi has fought to allow volunteer first responders to continue volunteering in their communities because, she said, it protects the volunteers and mitigates the effect on towns that struggle to find and retain round-the-clock protection for their community.

Schepisi earned bachelor’s degrees in politics and psychology in 1993 from Catholic University of America and a law degree from Fordham University Law School in 1997. She is special counsel at the law firm of Huntington Bailey, LLP, where she practices governmental law, corporate law, land use, employment matters, criminal defense, and structured finance.

Experienced in public issues, she served as the public defender for the Borough of Oakland from 2012 to 2014, and was the township attorney for River Vale from 2007 to 2011.

The New Jersey Conference of Mayors is the oldest and largest statewide mayors organization in the nation. It represents the interest of mayors at the state, federal and administrative levels, with the intent of promoting the interests of the people of New Jersey with the goal of improving their quality of life.