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Demystifying the Legislative Process

Wednesday, April 15, 2026

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2026 NJ Arts Advocacy Day - Washington, D.C.

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2026 NJ Arts Advocacy Day - Washington, D.C.

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Arts Advocacy Day 2026

  • 30 advocates from 13 arts organizations across the state
  • 2 student groups from NJ Thespians and Arts Ed NJ
  • Meetings with Senators Kim and Booker

Meetings with House representatives:

  • Rep. Van Drew (R-02)
  • Rep. Herb Conaway (D-03)
  • Rep. Smith (R-04)
  • Rep. Gottheimer (D-05)
  • Rep. Pallone (D-06)
  • Rep. Kean (R-07)
  • Rep. Menendez (D-08)
  • Rep. Nellie Pou (D-09)
  • Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-10)
  • Rep. Watson Coleman (D-12)

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Samantha Bender

Associate

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Overview

You can find your legislative district here:  https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/districts

You can find your members here:  https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/legislative-roster 

Assembly Committees can be found here:  https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/committees/assembly-committees

Senate Committees can be found here:  https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/committees/senate-committees 

 Legislative Leadership  https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/leadership 

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Legislative Leadership & Their Roles

Senate Majority Leader�Teresa Ruiz

Senate President Nicholas Scutari

Speaker of the Assembly�Craig Coughlin

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Legislative Leadership & Their Roles

Senate Minority Leader�Anthony Bucco

Assembly Majority Leader�Louis Greenwald

Assembly Minority Leader�John DiMaio

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Roles of Leadership & Committee Chairs

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Role of Committees

  • Focus on specific policy areas
  • Responsibilities include:
    • Setting agendas
    • Holding hearings on legislation and key issues
  • Stakeholders and advocates provide testimony
  • Committees can amend legislation, making this a critical stage for input

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Importance of Building Relationships with Legislators

  • Constituents play a key role in informing elected officials
  • Legislators value input on:
    • Community concerns
    • Policy ideas
    • Pending legislation
  • Ongoing engagement fosters a productive exchange of perspectives

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Importance of Legislative Staff

  • Staff manage schedules, communications, and policy coordination
  • They serve as key points of access to the legislator
  • Meetings with staff are often as impactful as meeting with the member directly

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Q&A

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Vincent Hall 

Director of Advocacy Operations

vhall@artpridenj.org

(609) 479-3377 ext. 309

WE ARE HERE FOR YOU!

Vanessa Ramalho

Director of External Relations

vramalho@artpridenj.org

(609) 479-3377 ext. 301

Adam Perle

President & CEO

adam@artpridenj.org

(609) 479-3377 ext. 308

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THANK YOU!!!