Assemblyman William Payne (29th Legislative District) began his professional career as an Essex County Welfare Board Caseworker, and has continued his public and community service in various capacities through the years. He is an accomplished business executive and civic leader with considerable experience in high-level national and international government and corporate environments. Assemblyman Payne is also a principal of William Payne and Associates, Government Relations / Market Development Consultants.
Assemblyman Payne is the Deputy Majority Conference Leader for the New Jersey General Assembly and Chair of the Regulatory Oversight Committee. He also serves as the Vice Chair of the Budget Committee and a member of the Federal Relations Committee. As Vice Chairman of the Assembly Budget Committee, he is working to develop a budget that addresses the needs of the community.
Assemblyman Payne has sponsored and co-sponsored several bills which have been signed into law. Among them are the Amistad legislation, which mandates that African-American history and contributions be incorporated into the regular K-12 textbooks and curriculum; and legislation that criminalized the practice of racial profiling by law enforcement and civil service employees in New Jersey.
In 1988 he was chairman of the Payne Congressional Campaign Committee resulting in the election of his brother, Donald M. Payne, as New Jersey’s first African-American member of the U.S. House of Representatives. Assemblyman Payne continues to serve as a key advisor and confidant to Congressman Payne.
Assemblyman Payne conducted a successful development campaign among major foundations and corporations to support the highly successful Newark school-centered mentoring program which he implemented and directed during the 1992-93 and 1993-94 school years. He recruited, trained and matched 275 mentors with at-risk students. This project prompted his sponsorship of a law which provides mentoring to students throughout New Jersey.
Assemblyman Payne established Urban Data Systems, Inc., a computer forms manufacturing company, in1969, serving as president and chief executive officer until 1988. Because of his expertise and interest in international affairs, he has been invited to join with U.S. Congressional delegations in meeting with foreign government and business leaders to discuss major economic, social and political issues that affect new democracies and emerging markets in the world.