Amy Handlin Seeks Republican Party Nod for 13th District

Property tax reform and changes in healthcare are among two of the issues Assemblywoman Amy Handlin (R-Middletown) is talking to Republicans about this week, as she knocks on doors in the run-up to the June 4 GOP Primary.

Handlin, a 57-year old university professor who has successfully campaigned for township, county and state level posts since 1990, says she enjoys the doorstep conversations she's been having in Aberdeen, Keyport, Holmdel and Marlboro this week because she "learns a lot" about what's on people's minds. 

"Short and long term, the key issue for New Jersey remains property taxes," said Handlin, who is running for re-election with Assemblyman Declan O'Scanlon against candidates Edna Walsh and Stephen Boracchia. Walsh and Boracchia are running under the slogan "Republicans for Conservative Leadership." 

As a Republican representative of Monmouth County, Handlin says she's been part of the team that brought property tax caps to school and municipal budgets, and pension and benefit reform to state payrolls. But she is not done yet.  

"We have to stop the current situation where you can get enormous payouts based on accumulated sick time," Handlin said. "Right now, those obligations are over $800,000 in the state." 

As a member of the Health Committee, Handlin is working on the practical issues related to the health care reform legislation, which will bring hundreds of thousands of Medicaid patients into the system, she said. "The practical issues it creates is insuring we have enough doctors and facilities for all of those people," she said. But with "junk" malpractice lawsuits rising, it is harder to attract medical professionals. 

"One of my priorities is keeping doctors in New Jersey, and making it a state where new doctors and build practices and experienced doctors want to stay," she said. 

Handlin is also the co-sponsor of a bill that would prevent violent criminals with mental health issues from getting out on bail.

In her role on the Regulated Professions Committee, Handlin has sponsored legislation that gives consumers more choices when it comes to real estate appraisal services. 

In April, Handlin and Assemblywomen Caroline Casagrande (R-Colts Neck) , opposing JCP&L's proposed rate hike. 

Correction: In a previous version of this story, it was incorrectly reported that Handlin is supporting a bill that would allow psychologists to prescribe medication. In fact, she did not support the bill, which passed the Assembly and is awaiting Committee approval in the Senate.