Call NJ, Get a Person [AUDIO]

Have you ever had a problem that you think the government can help you with, but when you call an agency you can't get a live person on the phone?

A state legislator said it happens too often, and that's why he's sponsoring a bill to connect New Jerseyans with a human being when calling a government agency at the state, county and local levels.

"My preference is always to have someone who is a caring individual who is looking to assist the citizen over the phone," said Assembly Republican Leader Jon Bramnick (R-Westfield).

The bill Bramnick has introduced requires state, county and local governments to provide the public with a telephone number as a point of contact at that agency.  He wants a live person to answer the phone, but realizes that might not be possible at all levels since not every agency has the staff to do that.  In order to handle that, his bill also creates a 'zero option' that would require all government agencies to allow the caller to press zero and be connected with the voicemail of a staffer who is identified by name and title.

"The human voice or the ability to press zero and get somebody I think is necessary in today's world," Bramnick said. "Let's have the ability for anyone to press zero and leave a message for a real person.  At least the person can leave a message and know the name of the person they left a message for."

Bramnick would also like the caller to leave a message with a human telephone operator whenever it is possible.