Assemblywoman Michele Matsikoudis is currently serving her first term in the NJ General Assembly, representing the 21st Legislative District. With experience working in Wall Street, her school’s PTA, borough council, and the New Providence Education Foundation, she is a dedicated advocate for her district. On July 12th, I had the opportunity to interview Michele about her experiences in state government.
Q: Why did you decide to become involved in the state government?
A: Let me just give you a bit of background about myself. Prior to being in the state government, I used to work on Wall Street. But then I had children and chose to stay home with them. During that time, I served on the PTO. I became highly involved and started volunteering in my town, which is New Providence.
I got to know a lot of people here, and as a result, I was approached to run for our local council. After a while, I made the decision to continue helping by entering politics. Once I got elected to the borough council, I realized how much I enjoyed making a difference.
When then-Senator Tom Kean decided to run for Congress, Senator Bramnick moved up to the Senate from the Assembly, creating an open spot. I genuinely admired them both and their common-sense approach to helping the state resonated with me. It was something I wanted to be a part of on a larger scale. So here I am.
Q: What do you think is the issue that you care most about?
A: There are numerous important issues, but if I had to sum it up, it would be about making New Jersey the best place to live, work, and raise a family. That’s the overarching goal. However, in order to achieve that, we need to focus on creating a conducive environment in various aspects.
Personally, I’m particularly passionate about education, which is why I serve on the education committee and the joint committee for public schools. These committees allow me to address the specific needs and challenges within our education system. Additionally, I’m also involved in the seniors and aging committee as well as the community development and affairs committee. Furthermore, I have a deep interest and passion for advocating for the special needs community. It’s important to me to ensure that the underrepresented and most vulnerable populations receive the support they need.
Q: Could you share some work you have done related to veterans?
A: I can provide you with a general overview of my work in this area. One significant accomplishment was the passage of a law which focused on supporting veterans. This particular bill aimed to assist veterans who had nursing certificates and experience, allowing them to fast-track their transition into the nursing profession. It was an important step in addressing the current nursing shortage.
Additionally, I am actively involved in other initiatives that aim to protect veterans from individuals who try to take advantage of them for personal gain. I believe it is crucial to safeguard their interests and ensure they receive the support they deserve.
These are just a few examples of the bills and efforts I am involved with regarding veterans. I am passionate about protecting and assisting them because of their significant contributions to our country. It’s our duty to give back and support them to the best of our ability.
Q: Through the process of trying to pass these bills, have you encountered any challenges or barriers?
A: Absolutely, we face challenges and barriers all the time. Let me share an example with you. One of the very first bills I became passionate about was inspired by a situation involving a little girl named Emma who went missing on a school bus. She was nonverbal, and the bus driver was unaware that she was still on board. It took several hours before she was found. This incident motivated me to advocate for implementing GPS systems and other measures on school buses to prevent such incidents from occurring again.
Since being elected, I have been working on this bill for about a year and a half. However, during the process, I discovered that some of the provisions within the bill had already been implemented independently which reduces the need for certain aspects of the bill. As a result, we plan to revisit and rewrite the bill in the upcoming session, focusing on the areas that truly require attention and improvement.
Q: In your experience, what is the most effective way to stay in contact with the people in your district?
A: It’s crucial to stay in contact with constituents because it allows me to stay informed about what’s happening and address their concerns. In terms of staying connected, I employ many different methods. Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter are essential. I also send out a monthly newsletter and create weekly videos to provide updates not only on legislative matters but also on topics that people may not be aware of.
In the beginning, my videos focused on shedding light on the activities that take place in Trenton because many people are unfamiliar with the roles and responsibilities of assembly members and senators. I want to make it educational and provide a behind-the-scenes look at what happens in the legislature.
Another crucial aspect is being visible within the district. Apart from attending different functions and events, I make it a point to hold mobile office hours. For example, I have visited municipal centers like the one in your area and set up in a room where constituents can come and discuss their issues. Whether it’s providing assistance with notary services, guiding them through applications, addressing unemployment concerns, or simply having a conversation, my goal is to be accessible and helpful.
And of course, I can’t do it without my team which works closely with me to assist constituents and provide the necessary support
Q: Could you share a story of a time when you directly helped someone with their issues as an assemblywoman?
A: There was a woman who worked as a crossing guard and was unemployed. She was struggling to receive her unemployment checks and was extremely upset. Our office worked closely with her, engaging in numerous phone calls to assist her in navigating the process and ensuring she received her unemployment benefits. The total amount she was owed exceeded $1,500. She was immensely grateful for the help and even wrote a letter expressing her appreciation. Furthermore, she recommended to her friends and acquaintances that they reach out to our office if they encountered any issues. It was rewarding to see the positive impact we could make, and this kind of assistance is something we do frequently in our office.
In fact, to date, we have been successful in securing over $500,000 in benefits and assistance for constituents in our district. It’s a significant number, averaging around $1,000 per day since I assumed office. It encompasses funds from unemployment benefits, disability benefits, tax refunds, and property tax rebates, which are slightly different. Additionally, it includes cases where individuals have had incorrect withholdings by the state, and we have assisted them in rectifying those issues to ensure they receive the appropriate amount. I’m incredibly proud of these accomplishments, and I must emphasize that it wouldn’t be possible without the exceptional team I have working with me, including Keen and Josh. Their dedication and expertise contribute greatly to our ability to assist constituents effectively.
Q: Do you collaborate with advocates or advocacy groups when generating ideas for bills and drafting them?
A: Absolutely. We work extensively with various advocacy groups, depending on the subject matter. For example, when it comes to education, we closely collaborate with education groups and school districts. I regularly meet with superintendents to discuss a range of issues, including safety and health concerns, thinking outside the box to find effective solutions. Similarly, when addressing matters related to special needs, we engage with organizations and meet with parents to understand their perspectives and ensure that the needs of both children and parents are met.
A perfect example of this collaborative approach is Billy Cray’s Law. It required us to go back to the drawing board and revamp the bill, as it had been around for a long time and needed updating. Many bills, especially those that have been in existence for some time, require adjustments to keep up with the rapidly changing world. To revamp such bills, we work closely with experts and those who truly understand the intricacies and needs associated with the legislation. Their input and expertise are invaluable in crafting effective bills.
Being an assemblywoman means listening to people and considering different perspectives. In the case of the nursing bill I mentioned earlier, it required seeking input from the nursing profession to ensure the bill was as strong and effective as possible. I recognize that I cannot know everything about every subject, so it’s essential to defer to experts in their respective fields.
In this specific instance, we reached out to the nursing profession to receive their recommendations for changes to the bill. Their expertise and insights were invaluable in shaping the legislation. It’s important to be comfortable deferring to individuals who possess authority and knowledge in a particular area. In this case, it was the nursing profession that played a crucial role in informing and improving the bill.
Q: As this is an election year, I’m curious about your future goals for the district. What do you envision for the future?
A: Looking ahead, I have several future goals for the district. In general, I aim to make New Jersey a better place to live, work, and raise a family. To narrow it down, there are specific areas that require attention. We need to address staffing shortages in various sectors, ensuring we have enough qualified professionals to meet the needs of our community. Additionally, focusing on the future of our children and their education is crucial. We must strive to provide them with the best opportunities and ensure that they can envision a prosperous future within our state.
Another important aspect is the well-being of our seniors. We need to create an environment where they can afford to retire comfortably in New Jersey. Currently, many seniors are being forced to relocate due to the high cost of living. Retaining our younger population is equally important. We want to create opportunities and an affordable environment where young adults can pursue their careers and goals without feeling compelled to leave the state. By addressing these concerns, working on staffing shortages, and making New Jersey an attractive place to reside, we can collectively build a great future for our district.