Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg. – NJ Senate Democrats Office
Outgoing Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg, D-37th District, will accept a post on the 17-member board of directors for Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey.
Weinberg, 86, announced that she would not seek another term as senator in January 2020. In order to accept the post, she’ll have to resign early, stepping down this Friday, rather than on her original retirement date of Jan. 11, when the new state Legislature is sworn in.
A state legislator cannot sit on a state board while in public office.
Senate President Stephen Sweeney, D-3rd District, gets two picks to the board, and tapped Weinberg as one of them.
“Loretta Weinberg’s distinguished career of public service has been defined by a selfless commitment to the needs of others and a fierce determination to improve the quality of life for everyone — especially those experiencing hardship,” reads a prepared statement from Sweeney, a powerful South Jersey Democrat who lost reelection and will vacate his seat next Tuesday. Senate Judiciary Chairman Nicholas Scutari, D-22nd District, will assume the role of senate president.
“I have complete confidence in her ability to contribute to Horizon’s role and responsibilities as the largest health insurer in New Jersey with a mission that embraces charitable services for those in need,” Sweeney continued.
Horizon is the state’s largest insurer, with an enrollment count of 3.7 million New Jersey residents. Board members are paid $70,000 a year.
In 2020, the health insurance company successfully lobbied for a bill to change its corporate structure from a health services corporation to a nonprofit holding company, a move they argued was vital to implement upgrades and diversify its business operations.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
