Speaker Coughlin to Invite 100 Members of the Public to Attend Monday’s Committee Hearing and Voting Session

“I am a Firm Believer in Transparency and Open Government”

(TRENTON) – The Assembly Homeland Security and State Preparedness Committee is scheduled to consider bills designed to assist New Jersey residents during the coronavirus pandemic, Monday, March 16 at 11 a.m. The full General Assembly is scheduled to vote on the legislation Monday at 2 p.m.

            Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin is inviting up to 100 members of the general public to attend the committee hearing and voting session.

            A letter sent to the legislative branch from the New Jersey State Capitol Joint Management Commission directed that due to concerns related to coronavirus, access to the State Capitol Complex be “limited to members of government, government employees/contractors, credentialed members of the press and invited participants in with business in the Complex.” (Letter Attached)

            “I am a firm believer in transparency and open government,” said Coughlin (D-Middlesex). “The legislature does the people’s business and the public must be included in the process. The approximate number of members of the legislature, Assembly staff, members of the media and the Sergeants at Arms is 150. Accordingly and consistent with the State Capitol Joint Management Commission’s recommendation and the Governor’s request to limit all public gatherings to no more than 250 individuals, I am inviting the first 100 members of the general public who come to the State House to attend the Homeland Security Committee hearing and the afternoon voting session. It is the democratic thing to do.”

Residents have another option to view and listen to the hearing and voting session remotely at https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/.

Residents planning to attend the voting session are urged to follow CDC guidelines. Those with compromised immune systems, chronic medical conditions or otherwise are considered to be in a vulnerable population are urged to listen and view the proceedings remotely.