New Jerseyans have the ability to choose energy suppliers. The question is: Should you? New Jersey deregulated its energy market in 1999, allowing people to choose which companies generate the electricity that’s supplied to their homes. The idea behind the legislation...
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Stamato Commentary: NJ is among few states to recognize value of civics education
Faculty Fellow Linda Stamato discusses New Jersey's commendable focus on civics education as one of the few states recognizing its value. She highlights recent legislative efforts to enhance civics education in the state's schools, aiming to foster informed and...
A state watchdog forges ahead, in an era of endangered oversight
Kevin Walsh had been an attorney for just two years when he picked a fight that would help topple the death penalty in New Jersey. As counsel to New Jerseyans for Alternatives to the Death Penalty, he challenged the state’s lethal injection regulations, a battle that...
Some cities are pushing for rent control. They’re meeting resistance.
With rents soaring since the COVID-19 pandemic tightened the housing supply, more local governments are considering rent control to keep increases in check and, ideally, protect struggling tenants whose incomes haven’t kept pace. At the same time, some...
Ditching your car may be great for the planet, but it can take a pick-axe to your income — try going ‘car-lite’ instead
Bikes can cost anywhere from $400 to $3,500, depending on your budget and your needs. Even a brand-new, high-end bike costs about 90% less than the average used car. Public transit costs vary, but one household can save $10,000 a year by using public transportation...
What state and local governments should do about generative AI
How can we take advantage of the technology without harming the public? Society is often slow to appreciate that technological innovations have both positive and negative outcomes. Splitting the atom led to weapons that can destroy the planet, but also provided a...
A surprising lawbreaker in mandated public reporting? New Jersey’s government
Reports on assets seized by cops, sexual assault remain in the works years after lawmakers required them Three and a half years ago, Gov. Phil Murphy signed a law requiring police departments to publicly report on property they seize from the public during criminal...
Distracted Walking: A Critical Analysis of the Real Risks and Solutions
Dissecting the “Distracted Walking” Narrative Pedestrian deaths have risen by a staggering 35% between 2008 and 2017 in the United States. This alarming statistic has prompted widespread concern, with many attributing this to the rise of ‘distracted walking’. The...
Stamato Op-Ed: Grease from pork does not aid good governing
A new op-ed by Linda Stamato highlights concerns over the allocation of pork barrel earmark funds by New Jersey lawmakers. She argues that these funds, intended for local projects, are being distributed without proper transparency and accountability, leading to...
Research says Dodd-Frank cuts interest costs
The Dodd-Frank Act's provisions to protect municipal issuers lowered interest costs in the muni market by a significant amount, according to research released Tuesday. "I estimate that for an average bond issue, Dodd-Frank resulted in about $600,000 in interest...