What supermajority? Sauickie still gets it done.

A Democratic supermajority hasn't stopped the District 12 Republican from working across the aisle.

Cream Ridge- Being in the minority has not slowed down Assemblyman Alex Sauickie (R-12th). He isn’t your typical minority party-member playing defense. Sauickie is clearly on offense. His recent legislative activity reads more like a heat map on a wide array of issues. Some have even asked what the secret to his success is. 

Luckily for CJN, he was happy to give it to us.

As Republicans in Trenton began the year by dusting themselves off after a rough election cycle, Sauickie seems unfazed. 

“I think people need some positive news and a glimmer of hope,” said Sauickie in an exclusive statement to CJN. 

“While Trenton has its issues, what I’ve found is that we are not polarized like we see on the Federal level. I truly believe the majority of elected officials on both sides of the aisle are there for the right reasons, which is to do some good for those that they represent.”

This isn’t mere conjecture from a politician – this is a mission statement.

Asm. Sauickie speaking at the New Jersey FFA for their Advocacy and Legislative Leadership Day. (Credit: Alex Sauickie).

The former Jackson councilman had four important bills not only break partisan boundaries, but have earned the signature of Governor Murphy and are now law. One key piece of “game-changer” legislation that provided a major boon to the Garden State’s agricultural industry made it to the Governor’s desk early this year, a victory he shared with fellow 12th District Republican Rob Clifton.

“While members of each party may have specific values that they hold dear and believe is what their constituents want them to represent, I’ve found there is still the ability to find ‘common sense’ items that all can get behind.”

Sauickie partnered with Linda Greenstein (D-14th) on A-5806 which dedicates $48 million from constitutionally dedicated  Corporation Business Tax Act revenues to the Department of Environmental protection for state acquisition of lands for recreation and conservation purposes. The bill also included Blue Acres projects and Green Acres Program administrative costs. He also worked across the aisle to develop and advance A-5809 which amended lists of projects eligible to receive loans for environmental infrastructure projects from the NJ Infrastructure Bank for Fiscal Year 2024. Another bipartisan measure, A-5810, amends lists of environmental infrastructure projects approved for long-term funding by the Department of Environmental Protection. 

Then there’s A-3526. The law requires the NJ Youth Suicide Prevention Advisory Council to prepare report regarding suicide prevention instruction in public schools. For Sauickie, a father himself, working across the aisle to not only ensure one’s prosperity, but their well-being is really what can bring about unity– and thats the secret to Sauickie’s success.

“Despite the other party having a large majority, if you reach out to those colleagues and find common interests you can get things done,” said Sauickie. “For example, many members on both sides make it a focus to support our veterans. If I have a bill that can help veterans, I make it a point to invite those members to work on it with me in the interest of getting the bill signed into law so that the veterans can get the support they need. It’s really that simple, and it’s all worthwhile.”

While only January, Sauickie remains confident that much of the people’s work can get done in 2024, supermajorities be damned– and with five major legislative victories to kick off the year, there seems to be no slowing down.

“It worked well in 2023,” he said. “I look forward to doubling those efforts in 2024.”

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