Oliver became speaker in a deal arranged to oust Dick Codey as senate president and replace him with Gloucester County's Steve Sweeney.
"I do not believe in this stark, combative, adversarial partisanship."
Oliver began her tenure at a joint press conference with Republican leaders. She plans statewide hearings so the public can talk directly to lawmakers and will focus on the budget, jobs, and property taxes.
Oliver has been a school board member, a freeholder and is the assistant administrator in Essex County. But she's a relative newcomer to Trenton. She's only been in the assembly since 2004.
"No fear!"
That's what Oliver believes is the most important character of a leader. She knows it may be hard for some old timers to be led by a woman.
"I love every one of them but I think they are all educable and can be guided toward doing business a different way."
Oliver says she may be a relative newcomer, but she's no pushover and is anxious to get down to business, the people's business, leading New Jersey's assembly.
