New Jersey state Senator Jon Bramnick has introduced two bills aimed at improving government responsiveness and accountability by requiring government offices to have a live person answering the phone, saying New Jersey residents should have an easier time reaching a live person when contacting government offices.

“I know my fellow New Jerseyans are as frustrated as I am when they call a government office and can’t speak to a live person or get help in a reasonable amount of time,” Bramnick said in a statements, citing calls to the Board of Public Utilities about utility bills, the Department of Labor about unemployment benefits and inquiries about new ABC regulations.

The first bill would require covered state and local government offices that use automated telephone answering systems to provide callers with the option of pressing zero to speak with a live operator or leave a recorded message during normal business hours.

And the second bill would establish a Consumer Czar, formally known as the State Office of Consumer, responsible for conducting routine, periodic and random telephone assessments of government offices and regulated health insurance companies.

The assessments would include calls to local government offices, school districts and state agencies to evaluate how accessible and responsive they are to the public.

“Government exists to serve the people, not leave them stuck in automated phone systems, waiting indefinitely for a response,” Bramnick said.

The senator said he has been advocating for greater government accountability and responsiveness for years and argued that residents should not have to navigate complicated phone systems to obtain basic information or assistance.

“Taxpayers deserve a government that answers the phone, responds to their concerns, and treats their time with respect,” Bramnick said, urging lawmakers to move both measures forward.