Born on June 11, 1959, Stephen Sweeney is a labor leader and a politician based in America. He is currently serving as the 114th President of the New Jersey Senate. Since 2002, He is serving as the president of the New Jersey senate representing the 3rd legislative state. This moderate and fiscal conservative is originally a Union Ironworker.
During 2008-2010, Sweeney also served as the Majority Leader of the New Jersey Senate. At the same time, he was the Majority Conference Leader of New Jersey.
Sweeney lost to Republican Party member Edward Durr, during his re-election in 2021. Sweeny went to Pennsauken High School and graduated in the year 1977. In 1980 on January 1, Sweeny gained Journeyman status after joining ironworkers local 399.
Sweeney was the general vice president of the International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental, and Reinforcing Iron Workers. From 2006 to 2010, Sweeney served as the Freeholder Director at Gloucester County Board of Chosen Freeholders. At the same time, he also held a seat in the senate of New Jersey.
The career of Stephen Sweeney
As a New Jersey senator, Sweeney sponsored a 2002 law that allows municipalities and other public entities to begin a construction project by entering a project labor agreement. This agreement had terms and conditions which ultimately lead to an increase in profits and a decrease in labor unrest due to a decline in labor strikes and work stoppages.
In 2005 a law called Sweeney sponsored enabled the Delaware River and Bay Authority to create an ethanol plant in Southern New Jersey. This project was established to create jobs in South Jersey and also to help the farmers with their market needs.
During the September 2001 terrorist attacks, Sweeney pushed to implement security standards and have safer technologies. Security guards at the nuclear power plants were allowed to keep assault weapons and heavy ammunition. In 2003 a bill regarding this was signed to form the law which required the guards’ mandate training to access weapons.
Governor Jim McGreevey signed a law in 2003 called Maggie’s law. This law was proposed by Sweeney which mentions that driving while seriously fatigued is a form of driver recklessness.
According to this law, sleep-deprived drivers who were awake for 24 hours or more were subject to 10 years of jail and a fine of up to $150,000 if they get into a fatal accident.
Also, Sweeney was one of the Catholic supporters of the legalization of assisted suicide. He remarked his support by saying, “the church takes positions that are not necessarily mainstream”
As the Senate President
On January 12, 2010, Stephen Sweeney took charge as the state senate president. In 2010, at first, Sweeney didn’t show his support for the legalization of same-sex marriage, but later on, he was the prime sponsor of this legislation. The same bill was passed by both houses but was rejected by Governor Chris Christie.
During his term, he made an effort and was successful in creating jobs for the people. Also, he worked to bring about economic growth. Sweeney was regarded as a “Politician Who’s Ahead of the Curve” by Philadelphia magazine.
When Chris Christie used the line-item veto on the 2011 state budget, Sweeney was angered. On this, he unapologetically said, “I don’t apologize for it. The governor was wrong to hurt people.”
Stephen Sweeney’s Awards and Rewards
Being ranked no. 4 by NJBIZ’s Power 100 in 2015, Sweeney has been an extremely powerful elected Democrat in New Jersey. He receives the utmost respect and honor for being this powerful and is also actively involved in NGOs and other local services. His daughter Lauren, was born with down syndrome, which made him commit to his work for people with developmental disabilities.
He was awarded “Legislator of the Year” by the New Jersey State Chamber of Commerce (2011).
Family of Stephen Sweeney
Stephen Sweeney is married to Patti Sweeney since 1986. They are parents to two children, a daughter named Lauren and a son named Stephen.
The net worth of Stephen Sweeney
It is claimed that their net worth of Sweeney is around $1 million to $5 million but the actual sum is yet to be known.
Also read,
How Did Edward Durr Win against Stephen Sweeney? Strategy and agenda
Subscribe to Email Updates :
Add Comment