State and Local Relations

The government of the State of New Jersey, like that of the United States, is divided into three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. 

The Legislature’s primary role is to enact laws. The Executive branch, which includes the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and state agencies, administers and enforces those laws. The Judicial branch, made up of the courts, interprets laws, resolves disputes, and handles violations. The Supreme Court serves as the highest authority on the interpretation and constitutionality of laws.

History of the New Jersey State House The State of New Jersey

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NJ Executive Branch

headshot of Governor Mike Sherrill in front of American flag

Governor Mikie Sherrill

Governor Mikie Sherrill is a U.S. Naval Academy graduate, former Navy helicopter pilot, federal prosecutor, and mother of four whose career has been rooted in public service. After serving nearly a decade on active duty—flying missions in Europe and the Middle East, supporting operations during the Iraq War, and working on U.S.–Russia naval policy—she went on to earn a law degree and serve in the U.S. Attorney’s Office in New Jersey, where she focused on community outreach, reentry programs, and prosecuting federal cases, including efforts to reduce gun violence. She later represented New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District in Congress and has pursued statewide leadership with a focus on making life more affordable for New Jersey families.
 

headshot of Lieutenant Governor Dr. Dale G. Caldwell in front of American flag

Lieutenant Governor Dr. Dale G. Caldwell

Dr. Dale G. Caldwell is New Jersey’s 4th Lieutenant Governor and 35th Secretary of State, serving with Governor Mikie Sherrill. As Secretary of State, Dr. Caldwell leads the New Jersey Department of State and serves as New Jersey’s chief election officer.
 

headshot of Acting Secretary of Higher Education Margo Chaly Esq. in front of American flag

Acting Secretary of Higher Education Margo Chaly Esq.

Margo Chaly Esq. serves as Acting Secretary of Higher Education and was appointed by the Sherrill Administration in January 2026.

NJ Legislative Branch

headshot of Senate President Nicholas Scutari

 

 

 

Senate President Nicholas P. Scutari

Nicholas P. Scutari serves as the President of the New Jersey Senate. He has served in the New Jersey State Senate since 2004, where he represents the 22nd Legislative District. On January 11, 2022, Scutari was elected the 115th President of the New Jersey State Senate, replacing former Senator Stephen Sweeney.

 

 

headshot of Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin

Craig J. Coughlin has served in the New Jersey General Assembly since 2010, where he represents the 19th Legislative District. He has served as the Speaker of the New Jersey General Assembly since 2018.

 

 

 

 

District 27 (Clifton/Montclair)

headshot of Senator John F. McKeon

Senator John F. McKeon (D)

headshot of Assemblywoman Rosaura "Rosy" Bagolie

Assemblywoman Rosaura "Rosy" Bagolie (D)

headshot of assemblywoman Alixon Collazos-Gill

Assemblywoman Alixon Collazos-Gill (D)

NJ Judicial Branch

  • NJ Courts: Covers all NJ courts, including legal forms, child support resources, finding an attorney, court opinions and other information.
  • NJ Digital Legal Library
  • NJ Attorney Index:  Search for attorneys who have been admitted to practice in New Jersey. Information about attorneys, such as date of admission, status to practice law in New Jersey, and county and municipality of the business office of practicing attorneys
  • Board of Public Utilities > Regulatory authority with a statutory mandate to ensure safe, adequate and proper utility services at reasonable rates for customers in New Jersey.
  • Civil Service Commission > The Commission is an independent body that hears and rules on appeals filed by State, county and municipal civil service employees, candidates for employment and appointing authorities.
  • Economic Development Authority > The EDA can assist businesses with access to capital, including tax-exempt and taxable bond financing, loans, loan guarantees, and business and tax incentives.
  • Election Law Enforcement Commission > Dedicated to administering “The New Jersey Campaign Contributions and Expenditures Reporting Act,” “The Gubernatorial, Legislative Disclosure Statement Act,” “Legislative and Governmental Process Activities Disclosure Act,” and various portions of the “Uniform Recall Election Law.”
  • Interstate Environmental Commission > Established in 1936, the Commission is a tri-state water and air pollution control agency for New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. Mission is to protect and enhance environmental quality through cooperation, regulation and communication between government officials and citizens in the tri-state region.
  • New Jersey Apportionment Commission > Charged with redrawing the lines of the State's 40 legislative districts, from which the 40 Senators and 80 members of the General Assembly are elected.
  • NJ Higher Education > Serves as the principal advocate for an integrated system of higher education which provides a broad scope of higher education programs and services. The system includes both 31 public and 35 independent institutions and enrolls over 440,000 full- and part-time credit-seeking students statewide.
  • NJ Transit > Public transportation corporation covering NJ, New York and Philadelphia.
  • Port Authority of New York and New Jersey > A bi-state authority, established in 1921that runs most of the regional transportation and infrastructure, including the bridges, tunnels, airports and seaports within the Port of New York and New Jersey.
  • State Commission of Investigation > Maintains a constant vigil against the intrusion of organized crime into society; to identify and expose corruption and governmental laxity; to shed light on waste, fraud and abuse of taxpayers' dollars; and to recommend new laws and other remedies to protect the integrity of the governmental process on behalf of the citizens of New Jersey.
  • State Ethics Commission > Created in 1973 to administer and enforce the New Jersey Conflicts of Interest Law; it also administers and enforces several sections of the Casino Control Act.
  • Turnpike Authority > Locate the Authority's annual reports, accident reports, among other topics of interest.  Includes Garden State Parkway.
  • Victims of Crime Compensation Board > Provides compensation to innocent victims of violent crime for some expenses they suffer as a result of the crime.