New Jersey Statehouse Watch

About New Jersey Statehouse Watch

New Jersey Statehouse Watch breaks down the bills moving through the New Jersey Legislature before they become law. Each episode focuses on high-impact state policy and features a significant guest directly involved in the debate — from legislators to civic leaders and policy experts. If you want clear insight into what’s happening in Trenton and how it affects your community, this podcast keeps you informed before decisions are final.

Publisher

Jack Brangan and Constance Ditzel

Category

news

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

23 Feb 2026

Latest episode

14 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

15 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   14 Oct 2026

   NJ Parents Fight Back: Alex Bougher & Nikki Stouffer on the Chatham and Berutti Lawsuits

   Alex Bougher (Moms for Liberty – New Jersey) and Nikki Stouffer (New Jersey Project) join Jack Brangan and Constance Ditzel to break down the lawsuits challenging New Jersey school policies that allow minor students to socially transition at school without parental knowledge or consent. They cover the Moms for Liberty federal case against the School District of the Chathams over Policy 5145.7, attorney Ron Berutti’s related actions (including Lema v. Davenport and the temporary restraining order), and what these fights mean for parental rights, school transparency, and the policies still moving through Trenton. Parents across New Jersey are fighting back. Straight talk. No spin.

2. 

   23 Sept 2026

   Senator Mike Testa: Voter ID in New Jersey and Other Ills

   State Senator Mike Testa (R-LD1) joins Jack Brangan and Constance Ditzel to break down voter ID, Flock cameras and other automated license-plate readers, affordable housing, and the bills moving through Trenton that most people never hear about until they become law. The Senate Republican Whip from Atlantic, Cape May, and Cumberland Counties talks election integrity after New Jersey’s voter-roll problems, why he wants privacy guardrails on plate-tracking cameras without discarding a tool police use, and how South Jersey families are paying for decisions made in the State House.

3. 

   26 Aug 2026

   Rosemary Becchi: Putting Jersey Families First on Taxes, Energy, and Affordability

   Rosemary Becchi, the founder and president of Jersey 1st and the New Jersey Policy Institute, joins Constance Ditzel. A former U.S. Senate Finance Committee tax counsel who co-authored the 529 college savings plans and a 2020 congressional candidate, Becchi breaks down New Jersey’s affordability crisis — soaring energy bills, high taxes, and policies that are driving families and businesses out of the state. Straight talk on what’s heating up in Trenton and what it will take to make New Jersey a place people can actually live, work, and retire.

4. 

   12 Aug 2026

   New Jersey’s Concealed Carry Obstacle Course with Joe LoPorto

   In this episode of New Jersey Statehouse Watch, Joe LoPorto — Director of Legal Operations for the New Jersey Firearm Owners Syndicate and NRA-ILA State Director — joins Jack Brangan and Constance Ditzel for a clear-eyed look at the deliberately punitive process New Jersey forces law-abiding citizens through just to obtain a concealed carry permit. From sky-high fees, endless bureaucratic delays, and subjective “character” reviews to the web of sensitive-place restrictions that strip the right of any practical value, Joe walks through how the state continues to punish gun owners even after recent court wins—and what everyday New Jerseyans can actually do about it.

5. 

   29 Jul 2026

   Mike Inganamort: It's Coming From Inside the House... and it's The NJ Democrats

   Assemblyman Mike Inganamort (LD-24) joins Jack Brangan and Constance Ditzel. The real threat to New Jersey isn’t coming from outside. It’s coming from inside the Statehouse — from the Democrats who control Trenton. In this episode, the freshman Assemblyman from northwest New Jersey breaks down what’s really happening with the budget, local control, and the policies being pushed through by the majority party. Straight talk. No spin.

6. 

   15 Jul 2026

   New Jersey's War on Children

   Jack Brangan and Constance Ditzel explore New Jersey's War on Children, which lays bare a devastating betrayal: while radical ideologues in Trenton push secretive school gender transitions, chemical and surgical mutilation of minors, and the systematic erosion of parental rights, sanctuary state policies have opened our doors to predators who are raping and murdering innocent children. Heartbreaking cases of children lost to illegal immigrant crime enabled by reckless "sanctuary" protections, our most vulnerable are paying the ultimate price for political virtue-signaling. This episode confronts the full scope of this assault on New Jersey families—with raw facts, expert voices, and an urgent call to action. Parents, wake up. The war on our children is real, and it demands we fight back fiercely to restore safety, sanity, and parental authority before more young lives are destroyed.

7. 

   25 Jun 2026

   Audrey Lane: Where New Jersey’s Money Really Goes

   We sit down with budget analyst Audrey Lane for a deep dive into New Jersey’s financial mess. She walks through the structural issues, the political pressures, and the long-term consequences of ignoring the numbers. If you want to understand what’s really driving the crisis, this conversation lays it out plainly.

8. 

   10 Jun 2026

   Chris Russell: Mastering Tough Races in Blue New Jersey

   Join Jack Brangan and Constance Ditzel on New Jersey Statehouse Watch for a strategic conversation with Chris Russell, co-founder of Checkmate Strategies and a leading Republican political consultant in the Northeast. With decades of experience in direct mail, communications, and campaign management, Russell shares hard-won lessons from high-stakes races — including his role advising Jack Ciattarelli’s 2021 gubernatorial bid and helping Congressman Mike Lawler flip and defend a difficult House seat in New York. Russell discusses the critical need for Republican unity, effective messaging, and what it really takes to compete and win in blue-state territory like New Jersey. A must-listen for conservatives focused on real change in Trenton and beyond!

9. 

   27 May 2026

   Assemblyman Brian Bergen: NJ's War on Small Business, Tax Credits & the World Cup Mess | NJ State House Watch

   Assemblyman Brian Bergen (LD-26) joins Jack Brangan and Constance Ditze to expose how Trenton Democrats continue to burden small businesses with overregulation, mandates, and gimmick bills like the “Soda Pop Bill.” They discuss the ABC test threatening independent contractors, sky-high corporate taxes driving businesses away, the $300M Prudential Center tax credits, and the World Cup ticket fiasco favoring New York over New Jersey residents. A must-listen from a legislator and small business owner. New episodes: 2nd & 4th Tuesday monthly.#NJPolitics #SmallBusiness #BrianBergen

10. 

    13 May 2026

    New Jersey School Funding Chaos: Inside the Broken Formula with Assemblywoman Vicky Flynn

    Episode 4 of New Jersey State House Watch, Assemblywoman Vicky Flynn breaks down New Jersey’s broken school funding formula. We expose how the current system drives massive property tax increases, staff layoffs, and program cuts in suburban and rural districts while pouring billions into urban systems with little accountability. From S2 formula failures to expiring federal aid, this episode reveals the unfairness and lack of transparency hurting families and taxpayers statewide. Must-listen for anyone fighting for fair funding and real reform.

11. 

    29 Apr 2026

    Dawn Fantasia Drops Bombshells on NJ's Sanctuary State Disaster & School Funding Chaos | State House Watch

    New Jersey State House Watch – April 28, 2026 Guest: Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia (LD 24) Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia — lifelong educator, former Teacher of the Year, and straight-talking legislator — joins Jack Brangan and Constance Ditzel for a hard-hitting look at New Jersey’s crises. In this episode:• The dangerous fallout from sanctuary state policies• The broken school funding formula driving teacher layoffs, program cuts, and exploding property taxes• Governor Sherrill’s first 100 days and Trenton’s budget chaos Dawn brings real-world experience from the classroom to Trenton and doesn’t hold back on solutions. A must-listen for every NJ taxpayer and parent. 🎧 Watch/listen now on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify & more🌐 njstatehousewatch.com Follow: @DawnFantasia_NJ & @jxbran99 #NJPolitics #DawnFantasia #SanctuaryState #SchoolFunding #NJBudget #PropertyTaxes

12. 

    15 Apr 2026

    Who Controls the Needle? The Fight Over NJ’s Vaccine Schedule

    Recent developments in New Jersey are raising important questions about who determines the childhood vaccine schedule. This episode of Dramatic Changes in NJ analyzes legislative efforts, policy shifts, and the broader implications for families and public health in the state.

13. 

    25 Mar 2026

    How Four New Laws Are Changing Abortion Policy in New Jersey

    New Jersey is moving toward becoming a national center for abortion services. In this episode, we examine four new laws driving that shift—what they say, how they work, and what they mean for the state going forward.

14. 

    11 Mar 2026

    Four Immigration Bills Head to the Governor — What They Could Mean for New Jersey

    In this episode of New Jersey Statehouse Watch, hosts Jack Brangan and Constance Ditzel examine four immigration-related bills recently passed by the New Jersey Legislature and now heading to Governor Mikie Sherrill’s desk for consideration. These bills were introduced and advanced by Democratic lawmakers and could significantly affect how immigration policies are handled in New Jersey. Important point: these measures are not law yet. They are awaiting the governor’s decision — whether to sign them, veto them, or allow them to become law. In this episode, we break down: • What each of the four bills proposes • How they moved through the Legislature • What supporters say the bills will accomplish • Concerns raised by critics • What happens next before any of these measures could take effect New Jersey Statehouse Watch focuses on explaining legislation before it becomes law, helping residents understand what is happening inside the State House in Trenton. Watch live and learn more at NJStatehouseWatch.com

15. 

    23 Feb 2026

    Now Launching: NEW JERSEY STATEHOUSE WATCH! Breaking Down Trenton’s Bills Before They Become Law

    New Jersey Statehouse Watch is your front-row seat to what’s really happening inside the New Jersey Legislature in Trenton — without the spin, the slogans, or the soundbites. Every year, thousands of bills move quietly through the State House. Most are never explained. Many are barely covered. Some have a direct impact on your taxes, your schools, your community, your business, and your personal freedoms — yet they pass with little public attention. New Jersey Statehouse Watch exists to change that. This podcast is dedicated to tracking, explaining, and breaking down legislation as it moves through the New Jersey Assembly and Senate. We follow bills from introduction to committee, through amendments, floor votes, and — when applicable — to the Governor’s desk. We don’t just tell you what passed; we explain what the bill actually does, who sponsored it, who voted for it, who opposed it, and how it affects New Jersey residents in the real world. Trenton can feel distant and opaque by design. Legislative language is dense. Procedures are confusing. Timelines are easy to miss. We do the watching, the reading, and the tracking — so you don’t have to. Each episode focuses on: • Bills currently moving through the Legislature • Committee activity and key hearings • Amendments that change the substance of legislation • Floor votes and voting records • Executive action and the Governor’s role • How state policies intersect with federal law and local government • The long-term consequences of short-term decisions We believe an informed public is essential to a functioning democracy. That means replacing talking points with facts, replacing headlines with substance, and replacing confusion with clarity. Our goal is not to tell you what to think — it’s to make sure you have the information needed to decide for yourself. New Jersey Statehouse Watch also features conversations with lawmakers, policy experts, advocates, and informed voices from across the state. We ask direct questions, press for clear answers, and focus on accountability — regardless of party or political label. If you care about: • How laws are made in New Jersey • Transparency in government • Accountability for elected officials • Understanding legislation before it becomes law • Knowing what Trenton is doing in your name — then this podcast is for you. New Jersey Statehouse Watch doesn’t chase outrage or clicks. We track the process, explain the substance, and shine a light on decisions that too often happen out of public view. We watch the State House. We follow the bills. So you don’t have to. Welcome to New Jersey Statehouse Watch.

Contact New Jersey Statehouse Watch

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.