News List
NJSPL: The Potential of Participatory Budgeting Within New Jersey
A state budget itself can be considered a moral document: a statement, made in dollar amounts, which outlines the financial needs that are prioritized by the government. The process of achieving an annual budget is difficult for many residents to follow and can lead to further resentments over the lack of transparency.
Super-rich complain but experts welcome Mamdani’s pied-à-terre tax
“In the context of the city doing everything it can to get housing construction happening, the idea that we would be having empty units is hard to justify,” said James DeFilippis, a professor of planning and public policy at Rutgers University.
They tore down New Brunswick’s Memorial Homes. The community survived.
“The building may have imploded, but the community didn’t,” said Sean Connaughton, a rising Bloustein School junior who participated in the project. “This was more than the buildings. This was a very deeply knit, tight-knit community.”
Prof. Andrews and PhD Candidate Lina Moe: Make Room for Robots
Robot-human interactions are becoming more commonplace in urban spaces. Lina Moe and Clinton Andrews have developed a diagnostic that policymakers can use to find the best existing tools for governance and determine when new ones are needed.
New Jersey State Policy Lab Holds 5th Annual Internship Presentations
On Wednesday, August 5th, the New Jersey State Policy Lab hosted the end-of-summer presentations for the 2026 intern cohort at the Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy.
Soumitra Bhuyan Receives Excellence in Teaching Award from Academy of Management
“Receiving this national recognition is especially meaningful to me,” Bhuyan said. “I view it not only as an individual honor, but also as a reflection of the growing visibility, quality, and impact of our Health Administration programs and our collective commitment to educating, mentoring, and supporting our students.”
Van Horn on NJ Spotlight News: United States Economy Slows as Costs Continue to Climb
In an interview with NJ Spotlight News, Rutgers Bloustein School Distinguished Professor Carl Van Horn discusses slowing economic growth, persistent inflation, rising energy costs, and what they mean for workers, employers, and consumers.
Dr. Ignaccolo Receives Best Dissertation in Planning History Award
The 2026 Anthony Sutcliffe Dissertation Award was given to Dr. Carmelo Ignaccolo, Assistant Professor.
Urban Planning Studio: Montclair Center BID Economic Needs Assessment
Partnering with the Montclair Center Business Improvement District (BID), this graduate studio conducted a district-wide economic needs assessment that builds on the 2021 Strategic Plan to evaluate current post-pandemic conditions. The report examines the results of the survey, analyzes the current progress of the goals outlined in the previous 2021 Strategic Plan, and provides placemaking and economic development recommendations for the Montclair Center BID.
Freedom House and Rutgers Democracy Lab Announce New Strategic Partnership to Strengthen Democracy and Freedom Online
“This partnership enables the Rutgers Democracy Lab’s Technology and Democracy Research Hub to bring students and leading researchers together to understand threats that come from a global resurgence in authoritarianism,” said Nicholas Longo, Director of the Rutgers Democracy Lab. “It will build young people’s ability to be engaged democratic citizens.”
Dallessio MCRP ’84 Named Executive Director, Monmouth Conservation Foundation
Tom Dallessio MCRP ’84 has been announced as the new Executive Director of Monmouth Conservation Foundation (MCF), ushering in an exciting next chapter as the organization prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary and continues its mission to preserve and protect open space, farmland, and natural habitats throughout Monmouth County.
Ashley Caldwell (PP ’26), Honored at Sheila Y. Oliver Foundation Annual Legacy Brunch
The Foundation honored the following women leaders for their outstanding contributions to public service, education, healthcare, advocacy, economic development, and community empowerment: Ashley M. Caldwell | Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy Graduate; Member, New Brunswick Board of Education
Community Outreach at The Game On! Culture Fest in Elizabeth
Taking First Steps Toward a Transit Friendly Future
Taking First Steps Toward a Transit Friendly Future brought together representatives from multiple agencies to highlight strategies for transit-oriented growth.
Extreme Heat & Supportive Housing In NJ by Yuhao Zheng (MCRP ’27)
SHA’s latest white paper, “Extreme Heat and Supportive Housing in New Jersey” examines the challenges present in warming climates and how the Garden State can proactively respond to keep residents safe in existing homes and needs for new construction or redevelopment.
Colleagues Celebrate Dr. Joel Cantor’s 27 Years of Exceptional Leadership
Serving over 27 years as the Director of Rutgers’ Center for State Health Policy, Dr. Joel Cantor helped establish the Center as one of New Jersey’s most trusted sources of independent health policy research.
NJSPL Report: Historical Water Bodies, CSO, and Flood Vulnerability in NJ
As urban areas have developed in New Jersey, some water bodies such as ponds, streams, and wetlands have been filled in, developed over, or rerouted through stormwater systems. In some cases, this process may have increased local flooding.
New Jersey Can’t Wait: We Need a Multisector Plan for Aging
Roberto Muñiz, President & CEO of Parker Health Group and a Senior Health Administration Fellow at the Bloustein School, argues that New Jersey urgently needs a Multisector Plan for Aging (MPA) to address housing, healthcare, transportation, and economic security as the state’s senior population grows fast. New Jersey has led the nation in outbound migration for years, he notes, with many older residents leaving due to high costs, and that more than half of seniors in the state don’t earn enough to cover basic needs.
Marc Pfeiffer Speaks with WNYC’s Michael Hill About High Retirement Payouts in NJ
Some long-serving public officials in New Jersey are collecting huge payouts when they retire. The payouts can include saved-up leave and sick days over the course of the job. Marc Pfeiffer speaks with WNYC about how West Orange ended up in this situation.
Exploring Policy Pathways for a Public Health Insurance Option: FamilyCare Buy-In Program
This report examines three policy options New Jersey could consider to expand coverage for individuals who are left out of federal programs due to their immigration status or because they cannot afford coverage. The options are a Basic Health Program (BHP), a Medicaid Buy-In, and a state-run Public Option.
Flood of comments on White House grantmaking overhaul is largely negative, analysis shows
“Public comment periods and regulations are not a plebiscite, they’re not a vote. So it doesn’t officially matter whether it’s 80-20 one way or 70-30 or 51-49. One thing I can assure you, the administration, any administration, will not count up and let those totals affect their final decisions,” said Stuart Shapiro, the dean of the Rutgers School of Planning and Public Policy and a former OMB official who has written about the role public comments play in shaping regulation.
NJSPL: Making Sense of NJ Hospital Consolidation in a Challenging Policy Environment
The recent wave of hospital consolidation has affected all of New Jersey’s Hospital Referral Regions (HRRs), which represent the distinct markets where most patients receive their hospital care.
New Jersey’s New E-Bike Law Sparks Debate Ahead of July 19 Rollout
Von Hagen said many New Jersey residents who are neurodivergent or have disabilities are unable to obtain a driver’s license. She believes this law will stop them from riding e-bikes.
Research Brief: Current, Future Coastal Flood Inundation of NJ Roadways
A new research brief by Jonathan Delura, Senior Research Specialist, Center for Urban Policy Research for the New Jersey Climate Change Research Center details a novel approach for estimating the extent and depth of roadway inundation using light detection and ranging (LiDAR) derived roadway surface elevations. A desktop analysis was conducted utilizing this approach to provide a first order assessment of coastal flooding impacts under current and future flood scenarios for New Jersey.
How NYU Langone’s planned Melville hospital would change Long Island healthcare
Cases for higher, or lower, prices
Older hospitals may buy expensive new equipment and other technology to better compete, in some cases leading to duplication of services, said Soumitra Bhuyan, executive director of health administration programs at the Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University.
Combined with NYU Langone’s investment in the new hospital, that could help push up prices for patients — although competition among hospitals also could potentially help lower prices, he said.
In addition, an academic medical center like the proposed Melville hospital generally charges more than community hospitals, he said.
Studies show that initial hospitalization costs for academic medical centers are higher, although other research indicates that, long-term, costs can be lower, possibly because of fewer complications after an initial hospital stay at an academic medical center.
New Jersey economy expected to trail U.S. growth for next 2 years, Rutgers report says
Authors Will Irving and Tarun Arasu, both of Rutgers, expect employment growth to rebound to 0.5% in 2027 and eventually outpace the national rate over the medium term.
New Jersey’s Strict New E-Bike Law: What Parents Need to Know
“A big part of the solution is safer street design. Communities can protect young riders by slowing traffic, building separated bike infrastructure, and improving trail crossings so drivers see people on bikes,” Von Hagen said.
“Everything about it tells you you should drive fast,” he said. “It looks like a highway. But you also have a lot of driveways, so you’re driving very fast and braking very often.”
Christiana Foglio, DC’84, BSPPP’86 Inducted to Rutgers Board of Governors
The Rutgers Board of Governors inducted Christiana “Chris” Foglio as the newest trustee members effective July 1.
Dr. Williams Elected Publications Officer for the Survey Research Methods Section (SRMS) of the American Statistical Association
Dr. Shar Williams was elected Publications Officer for the Survey Research Methods Section (SRMS) of the American Statistical Association in May 2026. Her term will begin in January 2027.
Jersey City Shadowed by 15% Tax Hike as Boomtown Faces Reckoning
“The effects we are seeing here are decisions that were driven by political forces that were not in the best long-term financial interest of the city,” said Marc Pfeiffer, associate director of Rutgers University’s Bloustein Local unit of the Center for Urban Policy Research, who also serves as chair of the city’s budget advisory committee. “Now they’re coming due.”
Smart and Von Hagen Discuss Safety Challenges of “Stroads” Using Route 1 as Example
According to Smart, that creates a design problem.
“Everything about it tells you you should drive fast,” he said. “It looks like a highway. But you also have a lot of driveways, so you’re driving very fast and braking very often.”
Listokin and Burchell Mentioned in Contributions to Fiscal Analysis
The field’s formal codification came in 1978, when Robert W. Burchell and David Listokin of Rutgers University published a seminal handbook outlining the six core estimation methods. Their work established the standard framework that practitioners still use. Burchell and Listokin continued refining the discipline through subsequent publications, including a practitioner’s guide in 1985.
NJSPL: Building Safer Streets: Rapid Response, Emergency Streets, and Lessons for NJ
New Jersey’s own Target Zero Action plan, adopted in 2025, identified a need to implement a Rapid Response program for municipalities to enable emergency services to deploy safety countermeasures immediately after a fatal or serious injury crash. Researchers recently interviewed a variety of transportation experts within the city of Denver, which adopted its own Vision Zero Action plan in 2017.
Bloustein Leaders and Alumni Included in the InsiderNJ Top 100 Policy Makers Power List
The InsiderNJ Top 100 Policy Makers Power List identifies some of the most influential people involved in the development of public policy in New Jersey. Eight Bloustein School affiliates made the list this year.
Report Release: R/ECON Forecast Summer 2026
The Garden State’s economic outlook for Summer 2026 presents a picture of tempered growth and a labor market that, while stabilizing, remains under pressure. The state closed out 2025 with solid GDP growth but is expected to ease to considerably to 0.9% in both 2026 and 2027, roughly a full percentage point below the national levels.
Bulger et al. Release 2026 Update to Historical Timelines of Climate Change Mitigation
This report provides a 2026 update of historical timelines with respect to New Jersey’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (i.e., climate change mitigation) as well as reduce its vulnerability to climate change impacts (i.e., climate change adaptation).
What fewer working teenagers could mean for the future workforce
“All things being equal, you’d rather hire a somewhat older person,” said Carl Van Horn, director of the Heldrich Center for Workforce Development at Rutgers University. “There’s queasiness or concern on the part of some employers about hiring young people. There may be insurance issues, or perceptions about what young people are like, which may or may not be fair.”
NJSPL: Why Do Eligible Workers Still Not Use Paid Family Leave?
Researchers found that when state paid family leave policies were in effect, like the one in NJ, women were much more likely to take paid leave only (60.4% to 33.8%), and less likely to take unpaid or a combination of paid and unpaid leave.
My wait for a psychiatric bed in Denver highlights this nation’s overburdened system
Lindenfeld and Mauri explained that efforts aimed at improving access to medications for the treatment of opioid use disorder at federally qualified health centers should particularly target facilities that serve a large proportion of nonwhite patients and patients experiencing homelessness.
MCRP Students Envision a More Walkable New Brunswick
In this course, Masters in City and Regional Planning students develop graphic communication skills as essential tools for developing, testing, and narrating urban design proposals. Through drawing, mapping, modeling, and visual storytelling, they learn how to translate spatial analysis into imaginative and actionable design proposals.
Longo Encourages a Shift from Speaking out to Listening
Longo continued: “I actually think every social movement starts with people sitting in a circle talking to each other, and especially talking to people that they disagree with. It actually is and can be radical.”
Longo & Matto: The forgotten lesson from 1776 that could rescue democracy in 2026
If we want to build citizens rather than subjects, civic education must be pursued with intention and purpose. If we do, young people will be at the forefront of building the democracy we need.
Jersey City mayor proposes 20% tax hike to close $255 million budget gap
According to Marc Pfeiffer at Rutgers University’s Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, comparing the budget gaps of Jersey City and New York City is “not only apples and oranges, it’s cookies and vegetables.”
NJSPL Interns Join Eagleton, Rutgers Scarlet Service at New Jersey State House
On Monday, June 22nd, the New Jersey State Policy Lab’s summer intern cohort joined with students from the Eagleton Institute of Politics, the Rutgers Democracy Lab, and the Rutgers Scarlet Service Internship program as part of an immersive, one-day civics program at the New Jersey State House in Trenton.
A Progressive Perspective: June 30 Mercer County Democratic committee members have an important decision
According to Rubin, “New Jersey primary voters are encouraged by the county parties, and conditioned by years of practice to vote for all the candidates on the county line,”
How Much Can My Landlord Raise the Rent?
In some localities, rents cannot rise as fast as inflation, while in Oregon, a statewide rule from 2019 allows rents to rise more quickly, limiting increases to 7 percent above the Consumer Price Index. Mark Paul, an economist at Rutgers University, said that permits landlords in Oregon to raise rents an average of 9 or 10 percent a year, which makes it less of a traditional rent control policy and more of an “anti-gouging” measure.
Bloustein School Announces Faculty Promotions for Smart and Longo
Promotions reflect the high standards of teaching and research for which the Bloustein School is known.
Safe Driving for Life: Mature Drivers Resource Center
The Mature Drivers Resource Center, an initiative of the Alan M. Voorhees Transportation Center, provides resources and training on safe driving techniques for mature drivers, guidance for starting the conversation when an older driver needs to limit or stop driving, and mobility options for those who have stepped away from driving.
Addressing Homelessness: A Comparative Analysis of State Policies, Funding, and Responses
This report was developed for the NJ Coalition to End Homelessness (NJCEH) as part of a Rutgers University — New Brunswick Master of Public Policy Practicum to examine how New Jersey compares to selected peer states in allocating and structuring state funding for homeless services, responding to federal funding changes, and addressing issues related to the criminalization of homelessness.
Hetling, Yeo, & McFarland Research Easing Administrative Burden in the Public Safety Net
A study by Rutgers researchers Andrea Hetling, Vee Yeo, and Lillian McFarland found that trauma-informed approaches, strong case management, peer support, and flexible services can make public safety net programs more accessible and effective for survivors.
Pfeiffer Opinion: N.J. handed MSU public TV without fixing the laws that could doom it
According to Marc Pfeiffer, NJ handed Montclair State a big responsibility: rebuild public broadcasting from scratch. The risks are real, including political pressure, budget shifts, and no structural safeguards if leadership changes.
NJSPL: Are Data Centers Raising Your Electric Bill? Mostly Not. Yet.
For now, the evidence suggests that data centers haven’t yet produced large, detectable increases in local electricity bills, but “not yet” is not the same as “nothing to worry about.” New Jersey has the time and opportunity to design rules that protect ratepayers before the next wave of electricity demand arrives at full scale.
New VTC Report: Improving Virtual Public Involvement in Transportation Agencies
NCHRP Research Report 1178: Improving Virtual Public Involvement in Transportation Agencies, produced by TRB’s National Cooperative Highway Research Program, presents key principles and practical tips for VPI use by both beginning and experienced public involvement practitioners, project managers, and other professionals.
Engaged citizens built America. Today, civics education is coming back.
“We need to figure out how to find common ground,” Professor Longo says. “So I think there’s some basic civic skills that we all need to have. And it should be built into our educational settings. How do you get good as a musician, as an athlete? You get good through practice.”
Samuel Co-Authors Editorial on the Evolution of Artificial Intelligence
What truly defines this era is the fundamental shift in how these systems have transitioned from calculators of language to actors of intent. We have reached an inflection point with the emergence of agentic AI (AAI) built on fundamental and generative AI building blocks.
The Wrap: Electricity Rates, Hotel Controversies, Home Rule
According to Marc Pfeiffer at Rutgers University’s Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, a major contributing factor to the state’s high property taxes is the duplication of services and staff across all those municipalities and school districts.
Payne Serves as Guest Editor for Special Edition of Cartographic Perspectives Journal
In the papers gathered here, we aim to showcase experiments in spatial representation beyond place markers and polygons on maps, from demos of new tools and historical reclamations of pre-GIS representation techniques, to theoretical engagement with the ontology of mapping and representation itself.
New Jersey ranks last in regional business climate report for 8th straight year, while Pennsylvania scores best
“A century ago, we had the European waves of immigration that fed our factories, and now our highly educated workforce fills the high-technology jobs of the present and future,” he said. “In many cases, firms treasure their New Jersey employees and don’t want to lose them by moving out of state, so they do keep operations here.”
What Do People Think of E-bikes? A Closer Look by Younes and Xie
Sixty-four percent (64%) of respondents from a recent survey on e-bike use and perception agreed that the government should do more to support e-bike use. Researchers conducted this survey (N=998) in Fall 2025 to adult, non-users of e-bikes in the U.S. Over 70% of the respondents were from NJ, with a smaller percentage from surrounding states, and 443 were non-owners.
New NJSDS Report: Noncredit Education in New Jersey
As more adults pursue nondegree pathways for skill development and career advancement, and with the enactment of Workforce Pell in July 2025, which authorizes Pell Grants for training programs as short as 150 hours or eight weeks, the need for clear definitions and reliable data on noncredit education has become increasingly important. Establishing a standardized system will be key to turning these data into actionable information that helps New Jersey maximize the benefits of Workforce Pell.
“Work Trends RU” Podcast with Margo Chaly
Listen to the latest episode of the Heldrich Center’s Work Trends RU podcast, featuring featuring Margo Chaly, Acting Secretary of the New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Higher Education, about the future of higher education in New Jersey. They discuss key challenges and opportunities facing colleges and universities, including enrollment trends, financial sustainability, workforce alignment, and student success.
Rabble Rousers shown at Jalopy with a panel including Councilmember Aviles
Much of the following panel centered around the importance of organizing. With Leyva facilitating, the panel included Housing Advocate Tito Delgado (Cooper Square CLT), Professor James DeFilippis (Rutgers University), Council Member Alexa Aviles (District 38), and Community Organizer Elise Goldin (New Economy Project). The lively discussion explored how commercial leases fund CLTs, the importance of fun in community organizing, and the political significance of land. It also frequently returned to the plight of the NYC Housing Authority–the City’s public housing provider which continues to grapple with the results of decades of disinvestment, increasingly turning to privatization to help fund rehabilitation of its units.
NJSPL Report: Reducing Opioid Overdose Risk in New Jersey
Researchers found that incidents of NJ Medicaid beneficiaries who received buprenorphine immediately and/or shortly after an opioid-related emergency department visit increased from 4.0% in 2018 to 14.4% in 2022. The team also conducted a series of interviews with medical professionals and discussed the challenges to buprenorphine provision, including patient resistance, insurance and pharmacy obstacles, and limited training and stigmatization.
Bloustein, MGSA to Host Exhibit on Memorial Homes New Brunswick
We invite you to join us for “We Mean Something to Each Other: Life in Memorial Homes,” a public exhibition celebrating the history and legacy of Memorial Homes, a New Brunswick public housing development that was the heart of a vibrant, close-knit community.
NJ’s newly crowded primaries prompt call for ranked choice voting
“The most obvious solution is to adopt ranked choice voting, which also would diminish the power of outside money to propel a single candidate to victory,” said Sass Rubin, the Rutgers professor. “At the very least, the legislature could adopt ranked choice voting for congressional races, which have been attracting the largest numbers of candidates.”
Kathe Newman elected as Chair of Board, Urban Affairs Association
Her research explores urban change, what it is, why it happens, and what it means and has explored gentrification, foreclosure, urban redevelopment, food security, community economic development and community participation.
Studio: Hudson County Vision For the Future Comprehensive Plan Public Engagement Guide
Bloustein students collaborated with the Hudson County Division of Planning to develop recommendations for a public engagement guide and create a community survey for the county’s 2050 Comprehensive Plan.
Economy Long-term unemployment is surging in the U.S. There are hidden costs for workers and the economy
Other than the death of a family member or a close friend, this is one of the most devastating things that people face,” said Carl Van Horn, director of the Heldrich Center for Workforce Development at Rutgers University. “It’s a very serious health problem and an economic problem.”
Fisher, Moe are RDL Inaugural Democracy Summer Research Fellows
These factors may have affected Samsung’s choice to leave NJ for Texas
Samsung is leaving its Englewood Cliffs, NJ headquarters with 1,200 employees headed to Texas. Rutgers Bloustein School professor James Hughes didn’t mince words: “This is a tough deal for New Jersey. New Jersey has to confront this.” Even top schools and transit access “was not enough to keep them.”
Andrews, et.al assess heat and air quality in low-income housing
Standard air quality and heat monitors don’t capture the full picture, especially for vulnerable residents in low-income public housing. This study uses wearable devices and indoor sensors to reveal stark disparities in real-world exposure to extreme heat and PM2.5 pollution across different groups, with seniors and youth facing the highest risks.
2026 NJDOT Complete Streets Summit Recap
More than 250 planners, engineers, students, advocates, and community leaders gathered for the 2026 NJDOT Complete Streets Summit, focused on the theme “Every Journey Safer.”
Podcast ‘From Campaigns to Classrooms’: Teaching a new generation about advocacy with Bob Sommer
“Lobbying is a fundamental part of the American system,” Sommer emphasized, noting how the mechanics of modern advocacy have continuously shifted alongside tightening state and federal regulations and rapid technological disruptions.
The fastest way to ease the housing crisis? Rent control
EJB Talks: From Campaigns to Classrooms: Teaching a New Generation About Advocacy
Dean Stuart Shapiro talks to Bob Sommer GSNB ’84, a Bloustein School alumnus, lecturer, and member of the school’s Advisory Board about his journey from an accounting major to a career in public policy and his transition from working on a congressional campaign to roles in government and lobbying.
Do drivers hate bicyclists? US sees an alarming rash of crashes.
“But wider roads are also an invitation for faster car speeds, Von Hagen said. Since the pandemic began, overall speeds have increased, along with reckless driving, she said. “
Ahmed (PhD ’28), Smart, and Noland Review Carbon Emissions and Remote Work
The authors report findings on carbon emissions associated with driving to the respective campuses and the modes used and perform an analysis of the potential effect of changing the university’s remote work policy for staff. They find, unsurprisingly, that mandating additional days in the office increases commuting emissions.
Kopp and Climate Scholars Assess Atlantic Coast Seasonal Flood Drivers
The authors found that north of Boston, MA, the most extreme flooding occurs in the cool season, while south of Wilmington, NC, the most extreme flooding occurs in the warm season. In the mid‐Atlantic region, both seasons contribute significantly to flood events. At all locations, cool‐season storms drive the more routine extreme sea levels. These findings highlight the importance of studying winter storms to improve coastal flood preparedness.
3 crossing guards killed in 3 years. How a nice job for retirees became frighteningly dangerous.
“It’s one of the most dangerous jobs in municipal government,” said Sean Meehan, research project manager for the New Jersey Safe Routes to School Resource Center at the Alan M. Voorhees Transportation Center at Rutgers University. “We see a lot of bad behavior.”
NJSPL: Professors Cantor and DeLia Dissect Gov. Sherrill’s Healthcare Proposals
Governor Sherrill’s first budget proposal provides an early look into the administration’s healthcare affordability agenda. Professors Joel Cantor and Derek DeLia examine the agenda and make recommendations.
Rubin and Flores-Serrano Receive NJASPA Awards
The New Jersey Chapter of the American Society for Public Administration (NJ ASPA) honored ten distinguished public servants and eight outstanding graduate students at its 2026 Annual Awards Reception. Dr. Julia Sass Rubin received the NJ ASPA Academic Excellence Award and Juan Flores-Serrano, MPP (’26) received a Student of the Year Award.
Montgomery Twp Health Checkup: The Connection Between Municipal Planning & Residents’ Wellbeing
“When I put together the syllabus …, I wanted to make sure the students not only beta tested the specific topics within the toolkits, but also to a place-based analysis. I selected Montgomery, partly because I have worked with them before,” said Dallessio.
Singer (DHA ’27) and Prof. Bhuyan Address Physician Burnout
“New Jersey leaders should start by measuring how much after-hours EHR work physicians are doing and use that data to demand documentation reform from technology vendors and federal regulators.”
Jagannathan Receives Fulbright to Expand Nurture Thru Nature in India
As part of the Fulbright award, Jagannathan will make multiple visits to Delhi between August 2026 and July 2028 to co-design, implement, and evaluate a tailored version of the NtN program alongside faculty partners in India.
New Jersey Announces Star-Studded Celebration Ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup
“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to turn New Jersey into a destination, not just a transit hub,” said Dr. James Hughes.
Essex County Property Taxes Lead New Jersey: Updated Guide Details Relief Programs
“At a time when property taxes are a central concern for homeowners across the state, giving residents the tools to understand how their tax bills are calculated, what the money pays for, and what rights they have as taxpayers is a meaningful contribution to civic literacy,” said Marc Pfeiffer.
Akira Drake Rodriguez (PhD ’14) and Benjamin Teresa (PhD ’15) Win UAA Best Paper Awards
Two of our stellar former doctoral students received best paper awards at the 2026 Urban Affairs Association conference: Akira Drake (’14) and Benjamin Teresa (’15)
Baraka, ex-gubernatorial candidate, seeks 4th term as mayor of N.J.’s largest city
“If you assume that the county line would have given those people a huge advantage, you would essentially come down to who came from the largest piece of the district,” said Julia Sass Rubin.
NJ activist sees fruits of her labor — many primary rivals
“If you assume that the county line would have given those people a huge advantage, you would essentially come down to who came from the largest piece of the district,” said Julia Sass Rubin.
After two years of struggle, lawmakers are poised to rewrite – and scale back – Colorado’s AI regulations
Samuel said., “So if something like (AI-driven discrimination) comes to light, we need to already have regulations in place, which will protect the consumer. That’s where transparency comes in. If my credit application is rejected, I need to have an explanation for why.”
NJ Homeowner Property Tax Guide: 2026 Update
“At a time when property taxes are a central concern for homeowners across the state, giving residents the tools to understand how their tax bills are calculated, what the money pays for and what rights they have as taxpayers is a meaningful contribution to civic literacy,” said the report’s author, Marc Pfeiffer.
NJSPL Blog: Overview of Literature for AI and Small Businesses
Researchers at the John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development, with funding from the New Jersey State Policy Lab, are currently engaged in a project to examine how New Jersey’s public artificial intelligence (AI) initiatives can better align with the evolving needs of small businesses in the state.
Bloustein School announces faculty promotions
Promotions reflect the high standards of teaching and research for which the Bloustein School is known.
Public Transit User Experiences and Feelings of Safety among Marginalized Genders
LGBTQ+ respondents are more vulnerable to harassment on public transportation than respondents who identify as cisgender and straight. Policy and planning measures aiming to address safety and harassment on public transit may not be effective for SGMs.
NJ State Financial Aid Outcomes Dashboard Released
Anita Franzione, 2026 Rose Teaching Excellence Award Recipient
The award is presented annually to a full-time faculty member committed to quality teaching, outstanding commitment to student achievement, and dedication to student mentorship.
Pfeiffer and Brannigan Opinion: In Consideration of Public Service
Let’s recommit ourselves to the fundamental values that have enhanced our communities and nation since our founding 250 years ago. This is a time to gratefully acknowledge those noble public servants who, each day, improve the quality of our communal lives through their work.
Two different divorces? Dr. Jocelyn Elise Crowley analyzes how divorce over the age of 50 produces different impacts for men and women in Thrive Magazine, Winter/Spring 2026.
Crowley’s research, based on interviews with 80 individuals, reveals that gray divorce carries many of the same emotional and practical challenges as divorce at any age.
Why Central Jersey rail towns are at the center of NJ’s housing boom
“New Jersey’s housing production roller coaster has been defined by long-term crests and falls since the 1940s,” James Hughes said. “The increase in construction during the 2020s so far suggests a potential turning point that adds important context to ongoing policy discussions about housing supply in New Jersey.”
Emeritus Professor John Pucher: A Blueprint for Better Biking
Bloustein professor emeritus John Pucher, alongside co-authors Ralph Buehler, Marcel Moran, Emmanuel de Lanversin and Rachel Aldred, build upon this theme in “Cycling in New York, London, Paris, and Berlin before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic” published by the International Journal of Sustainable Transport in April.