News List
College enrollment has declined in NJ — a blip, or a new trend?
Many cities have more robust subway camera systems than NY
New Jersey State Policy Lab: Lowering Tax Rates on Motor Fuels: A Bad Idea That’s Gaining Momentum
In the face of budget surpluses and soaring energy prices, it would seem that consoling consumers in this manner is more than just a patriotic duty for legislators–but this is wrong in multiple ways.
Bloustein Local Government Research Center: Serving New Jersey and its Communities
A discussion of the current critical work the center is doing, includig impact of the digital economy on tax policy, the increasing risk of cybersecurity threats, and the consolidation of the multitudes of municipalities.
Soumitra Bhuyan promoted to Associate Professor with Tenure
Dr. Bhuyan joined the Bloustein School in 2019. His primary teaching and research interests include chronic disease management, and health information systems with an overarching emphasis on population health.
Intelligent Informatics @ Bloustein: Data Visualization with Python Jupyter Notebooks – A Hands-on Introduction
NJ needs a Sweeney budget center at Rowan
Commentary: America ignores history’s lessons at its peril
Experts Give Input to Holmdel Charter Study Commission
New Jersey State Policy Lab: Adjustments to Municipal and County Population Counts in New Jersey for 2020
According to the latest Census count, NJ’s population peaked above 9 million for the first time in 2020. Census estimates were off by a whopping 4.3 percent.
Public health policy gets renewed push
New Jersey State Policy Lab: From Emergency to Routine: Evaluating the Implementation of Technology for Government after COVID-19
While much of the conversation on policy regarding technological advancements is largely on understanding technological infrastructure and economic opportunities, its use in the workplace and how it impacts the social, psychological, and mental well-being of employees in public organizations is less studied.
More states consider bills to prohibit discrimination against black hair
Generational shift: Hudson County population dropped 20,000 in first year of pandemic
2022: 3/31 Breaking Intergenerational Barriers While Dismantling Systemic Racism in NJ
More States Consider Bills to Prohibit Discrimination Against Black Hair
New Jersey State Policy Lab: New Jersey’s Single-Family Housing Markets by County 2021
Home real estate markets intensified in 2021 due to what appears to have been a buyer frenzy that drove single-family home prices steeply upward across the State of New Jersey. More single-family homes closed despite fewer listings in New Jersey.
Will Democrats restore tax break?; Move would save NJ residents billions
Intelligent Informatics @ Bloustein: Introduction to the Power of GitHub for Analytics
Research: Pandemic Vulnerability Index of US Cities: A Hybrid Knowledge-based and Data-driven Approach
Cities become mission-critical zones during pandemics and it is vital to develop a better understanding of the factors that are associated with infection levels. A new study examines 41 variables and their potential influence on COVID-19 cases and fatalities.
Which U.S. cities are most vulnerable to spread of COVID-19?
Georgia rural jobs program in peril as critics take aim
Will Democrats restore break that could save NJ taxpayers billions? Time is running out
New Jersey State Policy Lab: Use of Telehealth Among Essential Workers During COVID-19
The Bloustein School’s COVID-19 Impact Survey found that during the pandemic, essential workers in New Jersey were more likely than non-essential workers to use telehealth services.
Veterans: An Untapped Pool with a Rich Skill Set
Bloustein School’s Inaugural Diversity and Inclusion Speakers Forum/Bloustein Memorial Lecture
Crystal D. Charley-Sibley, reproductive justice and civil rights activist and founder of Melanin and Motherhood Doula Services will discuss, “A Millennial’s Activism: Breaking Intergenerational Barriers While Dismantling Systemic Racism in NJ.”
Health administration: Providing flexibility and options to help you shape the career you want
Growing up in Princeton, NJ – just a few miles away from New Brunswick and Johnson & Johnson’s world headquarters – Brandon knew that Rutgers would be able to guide him toward a career he would love.
NJ has regained nearly 90% of jobs lost to pandemic, and pay is rising too
New Heldrich brief: Wages and Wealth in the Context of COVID-19: The Economic Effects on Households with Children
The brief explores the impact of the pandemic on New Jersey workers and households by different demographics.
New Jersey State Policy Lab: What’s Up with Gasoline Prices?
Some of this rise should have been expected. Gas taxes, the relative value of the dollar, lower than usual supply, and higher than usual demand are some of the key factors.
Walkability and Redlining: How Built Environments Impact Health and Perpetuate Disparities
Panel to Explore Post-Pandemic Population Trends in New Jersey, April 12
The panelists will explore the historical, current, and post-pandemic demographic landscapes of New Jersey with particular attention to New Jersey’s remarkable history of immigration.
Biden Can Fix the Anti-Worker H-1B Immigration Visa Scam
Some towns look at consolidation, push back
Heldrich Center Receives Grants from Coleridge Initiative
The Heldrich Center is the recipient of two awards from the Coleridge Initiative, which will build on the progress made by state and federal governments to better connect education and workforce data systems to support more equitable educational outcomes
Bloustein School MHA team finishes among semi-finalists at Cleveland Clinic Case Competition
The Bloustein School team case was to analyze primary care market trends and figure out what is the best for healthcare systems—for example, to compete or collaborate with primary care disrupters.
PhD candidate Adam Scavette selected as finalist for WRSA Tiebout Prize
The annual award honors the best graduate student paper at the Western Regional Science Association (WRSA) Conference. At the Bloustein School, he is pursuing his dissertation on the topic, ” Essays in Urban and Regional Economics.”
Suspending students isn’t the answer. Restorative justice programs in schools are a better solution. | Opinion
New Jersey State Policy Lab: Release of “Evaluating Evaluations” Report
A New Jersey State Policy Lab report on evidence-based policymaking and program evaluation in New Jersey compares evidence-based practices related to workforce development, addiction services, and recidivism in New Jersey to practices in other states.
Dysfunction leaves NJ capital city in ‘crisis’ — but officials don’t want state help
What does the interest rate hike mean for NJ consumers?
Wanted: More money, more meaning, less burnout. What’s fueling the Great Resignation
Commentary: As sanctions punish Russia for Ukraine invasion, local boycotts miss their intended target
Bloustein School undergraduate Christine Starozytnyk passed away on March 11
The school is saddened to share the news that Bloustein School undergraduate student Christine Starozytnyk (Bachelor of Science in Public Health student) passed away unexpectedly late last week. Our deepest condolences go out to her family and friends. Please keep them in your thoughts.
New Jersey State Policy Lab: Addressing the State’s Needs Effectively, Innovatively, and Equitably
Elizabeth Cooner, Executive Director of the New Jersey State Policy Lab talks about the Lab’s mission of conducting rigorous evidence-based research to help inform New Jersey’s policymakers on solutions to important policy questions that are effective, innovative, and always have a focus on equity.
Bloustein School to host 14th annual Krueckeberg Doctoral Conference, March 24-25, 2022
The conference is for doctoral students engaged in urban planning and policy-related research across disciplines and universities in the tri-state NJ/NY/PA metropolitan region.
New Jersey State Policy Lab: Now is the Time to Save Oil in a Hurry
One way to reduce oil price spikes when there is a supply crunch is to reduce demand. To reduce the demand by 29 million gallons per day across roughly 280 million US vehicles, this is only 0.1 gallons per day per vehicle.
Murphy’s property-tax relief proposal, a boon to more taxpayers
Opinion: Kafka would find rich material in the American system of health care billing
NJ gas prices soaring, but will that give a jolt to electric vehicle sales?
COVID-19 laid bare gaps in NJ public health. Here’s how foundations propose to fix that
Call for Nominations for Rutgers Beloved Community Initiatives
The Committee to Advance Our Common Purposes of Rutgers University Equity and Inclusion is excited to announce the call for award nominations and art submissions for Beloved Community Initiatives and have extended the deadlines.
Inflation jumped 7.9% over the past year, sharpest spike since 1982
A Multi-Decennial Census Data Set for NJ, 2010 and 2020 (and More): A New Jersey State Policy Lab Offering
This census-based product will appeal to municipal governments within the State of New Jersey because it is provided in an easily read format (Microsoft Excel) but also provides historical reference and shows change across New Jersey’s counties and municipalities since the last decennial census.
In Democratic Bastion, Liberal Rhetoric Is Out. ‘Affordability’ Is In.
BEAT’s “Transportation Talks” with Bill Moyer, Director of Solutionary Rail
The focus on rail as a solution for moving freight grew out of activism to limit fossil fuels in the Pacific Northwest. Once a heavy rail user, the U.S. transitioned to heavy trucks to move goods around the country.
New Jersey State Policy Lab: An Early 2022 Inflation Update for New Jersey
Because of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, we should expect substantially more inflation over the next year in the form of energy prices.
Data Visualization with Python Jupyter Notebooks – A Hands-on Introduction
Interest rate increases are coming – How much more will you pay in NJ?
Research: Determining if your Teaching Style is Working, and What to Do if it’s Not
Patti O’Brien-Richardson advises educators and advocates for education to keep a finger on the pulse of what engages students by paying attention to how they respond to discussions, to their peers, and to how they are teaching.
Murphy’s property-tax rebate proposal adds renters
Land value tax helps realize the Richmond 300 vision
New Jersey State Policy Lab: Report on Food Security and Organic Waste Reduction
This report outlines potential public policies for consideration based on experiences in state and municipal government, the healthcare sector, the nonprofit sector, the agriculture sector, the waste management sector, local school systems, and institutions of higher education.
Living with COVID: How the pandemic transformed the workplace in NJ
Commentary: The ‘Ed Scare’ takes hold in America
Strategically Virtual: Long-term Unemployed Older Workers Persist in a Boom Economy
A new Heldrich Center research brief notes concerns for long-term unemployed older workers and offers some strategies to assist this population, which is falling through the cracks of the new boom economy.
New Jersey State Policy Lab: The New Jersey Housing Crisis in a COVID Era
The report explores strategic development and organizational learning in the provision of emergency rental assistance funding during the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on five New Jersey municipalities: Camden, Elizabeth, Jersey City, Newark, and Trenton.
N.J. immigrant relief program about to end just as it’s gaining steam. Insiders doubt it will be revived.
2022: 2/23 Affordable Housing: National, State, and Local Perspectives
Empty Spaces: With Office Work Changed Forever Due to COVID-19, Office Parks Will Change, Too
New Jersey State Policy Lab: Emerging transportation modes- what are the implications for policy?
New modes of transportation have the potential to provide better access for all, including people with limitations due to age, physical fitness levels, or disabilities. The secret ingredient is to provide a safe street space that is welcoming to all users.
In both New Jersey and Soviet Russia, democracy requires a choice of candidates
New Jersey State Policy Lab: Caring for Our Families during COVID-19: Costly Decisions for New Jersey Parents
Many women across the state have struggled to fully participate in the paid workforce given the ongoing disruptions to childcare and K-12 education caused by the evolving public health crisis.
2022 Meck Memorial Lecture: A Multi-Perspective View of Affordable Housing
Affordable, equitable access to shelter remains a pressing societal challenge despite landmark federal and state mandates.
Strategically Virtual: Lessons Learned from the New Jersey Career Network Job Seeker Community
Researchers were able to ascertain a clearer picture of the challenges, triumphs, and lessons learned from local workforce development professionals trying to simultaneously help people in need and personally and professionally stay above water in an extremely new and stressful environment.
Ten years in NJ property taxes: Rising, but kept (somewhat) in check
Navigating risks and trade-offs while formulating concrete remedies to problems
As someone who believes generating constructive change first requires an acute sense of limits, Matthew Mai believes studying public policy analysis is critical for learning how to utilize finite resources in the pursuit of strategic objectives.
Welcome Videos
Shooting Calls to NBPD Increased Sharply in 2021, Data Analysis Shows
NTI’s Billy Terry Discusses Training that Builds Communities on Transit Unplugged Podcast
The National Transit Institute at Rutgers serves as the training arm of the transit industry, focusing on the administrative side including procurement, DBE, financial management, and more.
New Jersey State Policy Lab Report: Cannabis Legalization: A Baseline Study
This report explores education, health, and law enforcement outcomes associated with the legalization of marijuana, and urges policymakers to examine these data and create protocols to minimize potential negative impacts.
New Jersey State Policy Lab Report: Encouraging Activation of Vacant Commercial Properties
The report explores existing and prospective tax and subsidy policies that could be used to encourage property owners to reuse currently vacant commercial properties in the state.
Pranay Kumar Awarded IAS-STS Fellowship
HIs dissertation work involves evaluating energy conservation behavior in residential households based on longitudinal and cross-sectional studies.
Inclusive Healthy Communities Grant Program Funding Opportunity
The grant program seeks to advance practice, systems and environmental changes to enhance healthy community outcomes for people with disabilities who also may experience societal discrimination as a result of, but not limited to age, race, socioeconomic or immigration status, and/or sexual orientation.
Will the labor shortage help close the pay gap between men and women?
New Jersey Policy Lab: New Jersey Intercounty Migration Trends, 2018-2019
A new R/ECON report examines the migration trends across counties within New Jersey between 2018 and 2019 using Internal Revenue Service (IRS) data.
Rutgers students needed to conduct bus rider surveys for New Jersey Transit
Students will be paid $15 to $20 per hour depending on experience. Those students with a car/driving will be compensated at a higher rate than non-drivers.
Some Newark charter schools fail to fully comply with transparency rules
Research: Community Visioning for Place Making
In his new book, Anton Nelessen details how this process works for community organizations, municipalities, and neighborhoods to evaluate their existing community and translate images into plans that embody their ideal characteristics of places and spaces.
Rutgers University to Host 2022 Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders
Associate Teaching Professor Patti O’Brien Richardson will co-lead the Leadership in Civic Engagement Institute with Olabode Ibironke, Department of English; and Greg Costalas, Rutgers Global.
New Jersey Policy Lab: Is Telehealth Making Healthcare More Accessible For the LGBTQ+ Community?
Using telehealth, providers have reported reaching more vulnerable and hard-to-reach populations by addressing and reducing numerous barriers to care; in New Jersey, telehealth interventions are particularly useful in reaching the LGBTQ+ community.
Elliott School researchers updating international data governance map
New Jersey Policy Lab: Has New Jersey’s Housing Market Peaked? A New Year’s Assessment
The available stock of both single-family and townhouses for sale has been progressively falling since July 2021 when it reached a pandemic peak. But even that peak was close to a third of numbers ten years prior.
New Jersey Policy Lab: The Challenges Associated with Making “Good” Public Policy
Policy analysis can illuminate the choices but, like science, it cannot answer questions definitively. The goal of policy analysis, and the New Jersey Policy Lab, is to provide decision-makers with the best information possible available to make better decisions.
State efforts to close the K-12 digital divide may come up short
Developing an Age-Friendly Mapping Tool for New Jersey
This project aimed to foster multisectoral collaboration toward a dynamic, web-based age-friendly mapping tool for Bergen and Somerset Counties.
Research: The Dark Side of Sentiment Analysis: An Exploratory Review Using Lexicons, Dictionaries, and a Statistical Monkey and Chimp
Sentiment analysis (SA) uses a combination of natural language processing (NLP) methods to analyze a text to estimate the implied sentiment.
Trends in American Opinions about Jobs, 2010 to 2021
A new Work Trends research brief titled includes selected trend data about work, the job market, and job security.
New Jersey Policy Lab: Bridging the Digital Divide in Native American Communities
The pandemic emphasized the importance of online connectivity, yet there is still a digital divide especially in underserved communities such as in Native American tribal lands.
Heldrich Center Awarded Grant to Support Research Examining Perceptions of Workplace Discrimination
Initiative will document how U.S. workers perceive and experience racial inequities in the workplace through a nationally representative survey of Black, Latino/a, Asian-American, and white workers.