Realtors ® Q&A Meet the Decision Makers

ASSEMBLYMAN AND FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS & INSURANCE COMMITTEE CHAIR

Roy Freiman

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 Assemblyman and Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee Chair Roy Freiman. His 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?

My wife Vicki, a retired public school teacher, and I have two grown children, Allison and David, and we live in Hillsborough with our two dogs. We are proud to be longtime residents of Central New Jersey. I spent the majority of my professional career in business working primarily in larger organizations.

Something I learned throughout my life was to respect the amount of responsibility that comes with leadership, I also was keenly aware of the political divide that was, and continues to afflict, our country. I found myself led to public service out of my desire to bridge this gap. I believe that different opinions and points of views should be viewed as an opportunity to work together.

What does the job of the Chair of the General Assembly Banking and Insurance Committee entail in the state of NJ?

Across the board, the job of Chair of any committee is to post bills referred to the committee up for discussion. I oversee the committee that considers bills that would impact the banking and insurance sectors. Essentially, this committee might be responsible for matters dealing with financial and health related issues. During the committee meetings, we might hear testimony from stakeholders who are advocating in favor, or opposed to a bill. The committee will want to learn who it will affect, the costs, benefits, and challenges associated with implementing it.

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

As a place to live, New Jersey is blessed with an abundance of reasons to buy a home and raise a family. However, for a long time, New Jersey is challenged with affordability and regulations. None of these challenges can be easily swept away or reversed overnight. I am proud to have been successful in taking the lead in making positive change in both categories, by prioritizing how the state manages debt, and pushing for changes in the building permit process. Furthermore, I have advocated for New Jersey to be more aggressive in promoting tourism outside of the shore regions. (Central Jersey exists!)

Some other impactful bills I’ve worked on recently that would help the real estate industry are:

• A516 First-Time Home Buyers tax credit

• A2785 NJ American Dream Act

• A5870 Sweat Equity

• A573 Expediting Construction Inspections

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

Another topic that I am passionate about is education, as you might expect from the husband of a public school teacher. I believe that our children are our future, so I have been working toward making sure they have access to education of all kinds. I have been working to ensure that learners of all ages can have access to knowledge integral to our communities by creating career and tech grants along with the Fund our Future Grants.

What do you think is the most impactful piece of legislation you have worked on?

As I mentioned previously, I believe the active management of the state debt is one of the most impactful pieces of legislation I have ever worked on. Given my background in finances, it is incredibly important to me that New Jersey works toward having a responsible and healthy fiscal status.

TOP FIVE QUESTIONS

1. Does Central NJ exist? Yes!

2. Go-To Pizza Topping: Mushrooms

3. Pork Roll or Taylor Ham: Pork Roll

4. Favorite Sports Team: Mets!

5. Dead or Alive, who is someone you would want to meet?: Alexander Hamilton, the father of our financial system