Assemblyman Al Barlas

06/18/2026

Forget a key to the city. Apparently, when you retire as a councilman in Newark, they want to give you lifetime health benefits.

Today, I joined my NJ Assembly GOP colleagues on the Assembly Budget Committee, Assemblyman Brian Rumpf, Assemblyman Gerry Scharfenberger, and Assemblyman Mike Inganamort in calling for New Jersey OAG investigation into Newark’s proposal to grant taxpayer funded lifetime health benefits to an outgoing councilman through what the resolution itself literally describes as a special “rule relaxation.”

Republican lawmakers have asked Attorney General Jennifer Davenport to investigate what they describe as an attempt by the Newark City Council to award

06/17/2026

Republican members of the Assembly Budget Committee are asking the state to intervene as the City of Newark attempts to finance lifetime health benefits on the backs of taxpayers for an ineligible ele

06/17/2026

Proud to have played a part, along with my NJ Assembly GOP colleagues Brian Rumpf, Mike Inganamort and Gerry Scharfenberger, in bringing light to this insider deal and STOPPING IT for the taxpayers of Newark and the State of NJ.

The Newark City Council today pulled a resolution that would give outgoing Councilman Carlos Gonzalez lifetime taxpayer-funded health benefits and

06/17/2026

Congratulations to District 40’s newest Eagle Scout, Timothy McCabe!

It was an honor to attend Timothy’s Court of Honor in Ridgewood and celebrate this remarkable achievement with his family, friends, and fellow Scouts.

Achieving the rank of Eagle Scout is a tremendous accomplishment that reflects years of hard work, leadership, service, and dedication. Congratulations, Timothy, and best wishes for continued success in the future!

06/17/2026

A Newark City Council resolution proposes granting a departing councilman lifetime taxpayer funded health benefits through what it explicitly describes as a “one-time rule relaxation.”

Think about that for a moment……

While Newark continues to raise concerns about its finances and seek state support, city officials are considering relaxing the rules to provide a special benefit for one elected official who does not meet the requirements.

New Jersey taxpayers deserve transparency, accountability, and confidence that public dollars are being spent fairly and responsibly.

Four Republicans on the Assembly Budget Committee want a state agency to investigate and block a Newark City Council resolution that would grant

06/16/2026

06/16/2026

Last Thursday, Ridgewood Water Director, Richard Calbi, joined senior leadership from the American Water Works Association New Jersey Section and members of its Water Utility Council at the New Jersey State House to meet with legislators from across the state, including our LD40 Assemblyman Al Barlas, to discuss issues impacting New Jersey’s water systems.

Important topics included customer affordability, infrastructure funding, water security, and more.



Photo Credit: Alissa Vanim

06/15/2026

Assemblyman Christopher DePhillips, Assemblyman Al Barlas, and I were pleased to join Totowa Fire Department Company 1 for their annual Pancake Breakfast.

Thank you to the members of the department for hosting another great event and for all they do to serve and protect the Totowa community!

06/14/2026

06/14/2026

Honored to attend the 2026 William F. Mullins Future Labor Leaders Breakfast hosted by the Passaic County Central Labor Council.

It was great to meet with labor leaders and community stakeholders and discuss the challenges and opportunities facing New Jersey’s workforce.

Thank you to the Passaic County Central Labor Council for your ongoing advocacy on behalf of working men and women throughout Passaic County and New Jersey.