Meet the Decision Maker: Lisa Swain

Welcome to our series, Meet the Decision Makers, where we interview key decision makers on their influential role within New Jersey. For this issue, we have Assemblywoman Lisa Swain. Her verbatim responses are italicized below. Do you have an idea of someone you’d like to see us interview? Email editor@njrealtor.com

Can you tell us a little about yourself and how you got started in public service?

I didn’t start out in politics, however, I always had a passion for giving back to my local community, especially after I moved to Fair Lawn and became a mother to two wonderful kids. I was an active member of the PTA, volunteered for local nonprofits, taught swimming, coached up and-coming triathletes—last year I competed in the World Triathlon Championship all the way in Spain, coming in fifth in my age group—and served on the Board of Trustees for the Maurice M. Pine Free Library. I did all of this until, about 17 years ago, I ran for a seat on the Fair Lawn Council and won. For over a decade, as both a Councilperson and eventually Mayor, I served the residents of Fair Lawn—the same community I raised my family in— working to solve problems, create connections, and make positive change. I can think of no greater privilege, nor a more rewarding experience, than spreading one’s passion for public service to their hometown. I ultimately stayed on the Council for almost 11 years, before joining the NJ State Assembly in 2018, wanting to see the impact I could do at the state level. Now, I serve as Chairwoman of the Assembly Appropriations Committee, ViceChair of the Assembly State and Local Government Committee, and a member of the Assembly Education Committee. I still stay active in the community I’ve long called home, working closely with a variety of local organizations, from the Fair Lawn Economic Development Corporation, to the Arts Council and Green Team, to the 100th Anniversary Committee, which has spent the last year celebrating Fair Lawn’s centennial birthday.

What does the job of the Chairwoman of the Appropriations Committee entail in the state of NJ?

Being Appropriations Chair, my role is all about ensuring every financial decision our state makes is fair, informed, and reflective of the needs of all New Jerseyans. If a piece of legislation involves spending state money, it comes through our committee, and it’s my job to lead these discussions, weigh their fiscal impact, account for every dollar, and help prioritize the critical programs our communities rely on most without jeopardizing New Jersey’s financial health or sustainability. As with any committee, we listen closely to a diversity of voices—my fellow legislators, state departments, community groups, or everyday citizens—so we can negotiate, fine-tune, and make transparent the financial policies that will ultimately shape the future of our state. It’s a role that requires a lot of balance and teamwork to ensure we remain good stewards of taxpayers’ hard-earned money.

What have you been working on that would help the real estate market in NJ?

Keeping property taxes low is key to stabilizing and strengthening New Jersey’s real estate market. By investing in smart development and enhancing our housing options, we can reduce the financial burden on homeowners and drive major economic growth. Our property taxes play a crucial role in funding essential services, like our top-ranked public schools, brave first responders, and local measures keeping our communities safe and clean. As always, it’s vital we strike the right balance, ensuring these services thrive while easing the financial pressure on homeowners. One of the high-priority areas of my work has been advocating for the Stay NJ and ANCHOR programs, which provide critical financial assistance to homeowners all across New Jersey. By helping seniors and working-class families stay in their own homes, we not only stabilize neighborhoods but also boost property values statewide. Additionally, I am committed to increasing the housing supply in New Jersey. A diverse housing stock is essential for attracting new residents and retaining our existing community members, ultimately contributing to a healthier, stronger real estate market overall.

What other issues have you been tackling in your role as Assemblywoman?

As a legislator, I’m always working on a wide range of important issues, but from the very beginning, my top priorities have been ensuring clean drinking water for our communities, supporting our seniors, protecting women’s health and reproductive freedoms, and tackling the affordability crisis here in New Jersey. No parent wants to believe that when they hand their child a glass of water, they could actually be harming them in some way. That’s the reason I have pushed for legislation and state budgets that fund transformative investments in water infrastructure upgrades, including lead pipe abatement, flood protection, and decontaminating our taps and waterways from PFAS and other pollutants. Additionally, since the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve seen the cost of living skyrocket nationwide, and unfortunately, those prices have never truly come down. From housing and healthcare to the cost of food at the supermarket, families are feeling the pressure every day, not to mention our seniors who are on fixed incomes and experiencing this intense financial squeeze more than ever. That’s why the state is focusing on programs and legislation specifically designed towards easing the economic burden on our seniors and longtime residents. This includes establishing tax relief programs like ANCHOR, expanding eligibility for Senior Freeze, and providing gross income tax credits for qualified caregivers. Through all of this, we’re working to ensure that New Jersey remains an affordable place for families and that our seniors can age and retire comfortably in the state they’ve long called home, without being crushed by rising costs.

TOP FIVE QUESTIONS

1. Does Central NJ exist? Yes

2. Go-To Pizza Topping: Mushrooms

3. Pork Roll or Taylor Ham: Taylor Ham (or turkey bacon!)

4. Favorite Sports Team: Team USA

5. Dead or Alive, who is someone you would want to meet? Ruth Bader Ginsburg