News List
Can New Jersey’s political machines hold on to power?
New Jersey’s political boss culture dates back more than 100 years. It was able to outlast the good government reforms of the early 20th century. While the current moment feels hopeful, political machines do not give up power easily.
NJSPL – Advancing Perinatal Mental Health Equity in NJ
Disparities in perinatal mental health in New Jersey reflect the systemic gaps in equity, access, and infrastructure of the larger U.S. health care system. Policies to expand telehealth access, diversify the perinatal mental health workforce, address stigma, and reduce social and economic inequality are critical to advancing perinatal mental health equity.
New Jersey Food System Dashboard Launched
This public tool was co-developed by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension Department of Family and Community Health Sciences, NJ Food Democracy Collaborative, community partners from Newark, New Brunswick and Camden, and the Environmental Analysis and Communications Group, which is part of the Center for Urban Policy Research at the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy.
Politics in New Jersey has gone off the rails — even by New Jersey standards
“You could not envision a day when Norcross wasn’t running the state essentially,” Julia Sass Rubin, a Rutgers University professor who studies New Jersey government, said of that period. “That he’s now under indictment, it’s stunning.”
Prof. Julia Sass Rubin: Advocate for Democracy
“My passionate fight for a better democratic process of having our voices heard can be traced to initiatives by the Christie administration to slash funding for public education,” Julia Sass Rubin says.
How To Identify a Move-In-Ready House To Buy
“In the past, homebuyers focused primarily on their monthly mortgage payments. Now they’re thinking more about the larger financial picture,” Hughes says.
Newark Superintendent: No Alcohol at ‘Fun Day’ For Central Office Staff
“Practices that are often shown to improve employee morale and performance and common in the private or non-profit sector have been determined to be inappropriate in the public sector,” Pfeiffer said. “NPS made a choice.”
Tax credits for private school tuition plan scrapped
“They don’t work, they become exorbitantly expensive, they hurt public schools and they lead to discrimination. The real question is: Why would you promote this bill?” Rubin said.
Nikpour Receives Office of Disability Services Award
The student stated that Professor Nikpour been a blessing, great professor, so helpful, so accommodating, gives students the time of day, tells students to call him anytime for help, etc.
Heldrich Report: NJ’s Energy-Efficiency Workforce Needs
The Heldrich Center, in partnership with the Built Environment and Green Building Group at the Center for Urban Policy Research, recently conducted a study to better understand and document community needs and areas for growth in training, recruiting, hiring, and retaining students, trainees, and workers from diverse backgrounds for the state’s energy-efficiency workforce.
Shaul Picker Receives 2024 Mortensen-Voorhees Award
Shaul Picker is the 2024 recipient of the Mortensen-Voorhees Award for Achievement in Transportation Studies.
Rutgers: Bike Lanes Reduce Traffic Speeds
“We are giving you more evidence that bike lanes save lives,” said Hannah Younes, a lead author of the study and a postdoctoral research associate at the Alan M. Voorhees Transportation Center in the Rutgers Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy.
Black Chicago drivers more likely to be stopped by police than to get traffic camera tickets, study finds
“(Bias is) not just a police issue,” Smart said, “But it’s especially acute among police because of the powers that police are given.”
NJSPL – Key Insights from Early Offshore Wind Implementation
Beyond financial constraints, offshore wind has a history of public opposition in the United States.
H-1B visa program is wretched. Now is no time to expand it.
H-1B workers have few employment rights, in a system that they’ve described as “indentured servitude,” and some employers engage in rampant wage theft from H-1B workers.
EJB Talks: Political Update with Stuart Shapiro and Amy Cobb
Stuart Shapiro welcomes back Amy Cobb MPAP ’18 for a political update in the final EJB Talks episode of the spring 2024 season. They discuss the potential consequences of Trump’s guilty verdict for falsifying business records in New York, particularly the consequences for the 2024 election.
Racial composition of road users, traffic citations, and police stops
The research focuses on the relationship between camera tickets and racial composition of drivers vs. police stops for traffic citations and the racial composition in these locations. Black drivers exhibit a higher likelihood of being ticketed by automated speed cameras and of being stopped for moving violations on roads, irrespective of the proportion of White drivers present.
Primary results suggest absence of ‘party line’ made a difference
“It’s early as the votes are still being counted but it certainly looks like not having a county line shakes things up, especially in the less high-profile races where the county line matters the most,” said Julia Sass Rubin
I’m a Nondriver—and There’s a Good Chance You Are, Too
Research by Rutgers Professor Dr. Kelcie Ralph found that young adults who grew up in a family without a car completed less education, had lower incomes, and faced more unemployment than their peers who were raised in families with consistent car access–even when controlling for family wealth, residential location, family composition and race.
NJ primary election night results 2024 | NJ Decides
With more mail-in ballots left to count, it’s still too early to tell what impact the suspension of the party line may have had on Democratic candidates.
Machine-backed Democrats have big NJ primary wins, even without the ‘line’
“Most political actors and donors are waiting to see how this issue plays out over the next few years before doing anything that may upset the county party organizations,” Sass Rubin said.
Barclays cutting 70 North Jersey jobs as more layoffs hit financial sector
NJ Primary Election: Kim declared winner in Senate race, Menendez in House race
With more mail-in ballots left to count, it’s still too early to tell what impact the suspension of the party line may have had on Democratic candidates.
Andy Kim upended New Jersey politics. Now he’s on track to become a senator
Rubin says Kim benefitted from good timing — he was the right candidate at the right political moment. “He definitely had the right framing for people to believe that he is a reformer, and he was willing to take that risk and go up against the system.”
New Jersey holds first primaries since the exile of ‘ballot Siberia’
That design conferred an extreme advantage: Rutgers professor Julia Sass Rubin concluded that between 2002 and 2022, candidates on the county line enjoyed an average boost of 38 points.
Traffic Speeds Decrease When Bike Lane is Present
Rutgers University–New Brunswick researchers conducting a study at a high-traffic intersection in a Jersey Shore town have found that the installation of a bike lane along the road approaching the convergence reduced driving speeds.
Ralph and White: Do Engineering Instructors Teach Induced Travel?
This latest article by Dr. Kelcie Ralph and Dr. Ellen Oettinger White researches how engineering professors approach the concept of induced travel.
Stamato Video: Saving Local Journalism In New Jersey
Linda Stamato sits down with Steve Adubato to discuss her personal crusade to save local journalism.
A revamped ballot design jumpstarts democracy in New Jersey
“One of the impacts is that more people will get into primaries to run,” said Rubin. “But you’re not seeing that in this cycle because the decision came after the cutoff to file to run this cycle.”
Federal Funding Secured for $16 Billion Hudson Tunnel Project
“It is critical for moving people up and down the corridor. The tunnel will allow for more mobility and convenience for commuters and is vitally, vitally important,” said James W. Hughes.
Building warehouses comes with the promise of jobs. Here’s what those positions look like
“What their revenue flow is going to be, what their cash flow is going to be, all of those things have been severely compromised by changes in the economy of the last five years,” said Marc Pfeiffer.
Does Wall Street Own Your Dream Home?
The new report, which was authored by GSU professor Taylor Shelton and Rutgers researcher Eric Seymour, shows that in Atlanta three corporate landlords own 19,000 single-family rental homes, “These companies own tens of thousands of properties in a relatively select set of neighborhoods,” GSU’s Shelton said, “which allows them to exercise really significant market power over tenants and renters because they have such a large concentration of holdings in those neighborhoods,”
Democratic primary marks new ground for party power
“I think the most immediate impact will be more people will run for office,” Rubin said. “Not this election cycle, because the deadline has already passed. But I think we will see more people running going forward, and I think we will see a much more diverse slate of candidates. You have an overwhelmingly male and white legislature, and I think the county line has a big role in that.”
Rep. Andy Kim’s Senate Bid Aims to Engage New Jersey’s Growing Asian American Voters
Julia Sass Rubin, a Rutgers professor whose research was instrumental in dismantling the party line system, stated, “I think the most immediate impact will be more people will run for office… I think we will see a much more diverse slate of candidates.”
NJ Rep. Pascrell sees primary challenge from Khairullah, spotlighting their stances on Gaza war
The system groups candidates running on tickets into single lines or columns, meaning that the many candidates endorsed by county political organizations appear together with ticket-leaders like President Joe Biden. Candidates running alone or on smaller slates usually appear further off to the right or down the ballot, outside of the large groupings that signal to voters that they’re the legitimate party candidates. Research by Rutgers University professor Julia Sass Rubin shows the preferential ballot placement gives candidates an advantage that is difficult to beat.
Meadowlands towns say American Dream owes them at least $13M
“What their revenue flow is going to be, what their cash flow is going to be, all of those things have been severely compromised by changes in the economy of the last five years,” said Marc Pfeiffer.
Marc Pfeiffer: Outstanding IT Client Service Award
Marc Pfeiffer received the Outstanding IT Client Service Award from Government Technology in a special ceremony held on Tuesday, May 21st at the NJ Digital Government Summit.
The Faces Behind Gray Divorce
According to a study conducted by Jocelyn Crowley of Rutgers University, participants identified positive aspects of their lives post-gray divorce, including higher levels of overall happiness, liberation from their ex-spouses, and enhanced independence and freedom.
UBS latest bank to announce NJ job cuts as finance sector shrinks
James Hughes, an economist at Rutgers University, told NorthJersey.com that white-collar jobs in banking and finance have become saturated after a two-year hiring spree that followed the COVID-19 pandemic.
Joel Cantor Op-Ed: Why Our Healthcare Costs are so High
So, what is the big health care spending driver? The late Princeton University professor and renowned health policy scholar Uwe Reinhardt put it succinctly: “It’s the prices, stupid.”
Bicycle Lanes Have a Calming Effect on Traffic – Study
Computer vision techniques were used to detect and classify the speed and trajectory of over 9,000 motor-vehicles at an intersection that was part of a pilot demonstration in which a bicycle lane was temporarily implemented.
MHA program earns CAHME Reaccreditation
The school participated in a 2-year evaluation process to show that the MHA is of the highest quality and meets certain standards.
COVID was final blow to some NJ suburban office parks. Here’s what they’re morphing into
“Our suburban office inventory is overbuilt and under-demolished,” said economist James Hughes
New Jersey aiming for record $7.2 billion pension fund contribution. It’s still not enough.
As long as the state keeps paying 100% of the ARC annually, “they are moving in the right direction,” said Keevey, a former state budget director and state comptroller.
American Dream saw boost in sales in first quarter of 2024. Here’s how much
The lawsuits and failure to pay debts “has the effect of buying them time, which gives them the opportunity to renegotiate things” more in the mall owners’ favor.” said Marc Pfeiffer.
Courtney Culler Wins Excellence in Student Support Award
Courtney Culler, Associate Director for Graduate Student Services for the Bloustein School, was the 2024 recipient of the Excellence in Student Support Award.
School closures could mean longer commutes for students. Here’s why that’s a problem.
“The research suggests that more local schools are good for students’ health, and probably for their well-being,” said Michael Smart,
N.J.’s senior U.S. senator is on trial for corruption. Again. Will this time be different?
“None of that would have happened without Menendez,” said Julia Sass Rubin, “So I think the indictment was absolutely critical to where we are right now.”
The bosses strike back | Editorial
“It’s kind of ridiculous that we’re still having a clerk draw names out of a drum when there are computers that could randomize this in a much more scientific way, and would be cheating-proof, essentially,” says Julia Sass Rubin,
Rutgers Today Spotlight: Lisa Harrison-Gulla
“I have a great privilege from my mom’s experiences with Rutgers and her years in public health because I can come home from class to talk about what I’ve learned and brainstorm ideas for changes I’d like to make in my career,” Gulla said.
NJSPL – Industry Employment Growth in NJ
Since the end of December, total job growth has been relatively strong in the state, though data revisions have continued to blur the picture.
MPP Alum Part of WaPo Pulitzer Prize Winning Team
A polling analyst specializing in public opinion about politics, elections and public policy, Emily Guskin MPP ’09 contributed to the series and is credited as the lead author of an article titled “Why do Americans own AR-15s?”
EJB Talks with Alumnus Christopher Black PH ’09
Christopher Black EJB ’09 shares his story of pursuing a public health degree after struggling with organic chemistry. With guidance from mentor Dr. Dona Schneider, retired Bloustein School professor and associate dean, Chris took a few years to work and teach before getting an advanced degree in public health, focusing on epidemiology and biostatistics.
Transferring Lessons From the Cricket Field to the Classroom
Senior Deep Joshi (EJB ’24) represented the nation on the United States National Cricket Team and has also been recognized for his efforts creating opportunities for dialogue as founder of TEDx Hightstown.
BMW plans to sell off 20 acres of its North Jersey corporate headquarters
New Jersey’s suburbs have become ripe for this kind of redevelopment. They’ve been saturated with office parks stretching back to the 1980s, during an office-building boom, said James Hughes.
People Are Sharing What It’s Like To Job-Hunt Over 50 — And It’s Harrowing
When older workers apply for a job, they often get rejected by automatic tracking systems that can sort out their résumé based on dates used and skills that they do not list, said Carl Van Horn, a public policy professor and director of the Heldrich Center for Workforce Development
Marc Pfeiffer Discusses Smart City Technology
Simply put, a smart city uses current digital technologies to enhance the delivery of local government services.
Commentary: No news is bad news for democracy
Faculty Fellow Linda Stamato highlights the critical challenges faced by local journalism in the United States, and advocates for nonprofit journalism as a potential solution.
A new $16 billion rail tunnel will connect New Jersey and New York City
Hughes noted the specific impact of the number of jobs created and the amount of economic activity generated is always hard to predict, “but certainly it will be one of the largest infrastructure construction projects, perhaps ever.”
It’s hard to tell the ‘county line’ is gone on these Essex County, NJ ballots
There is a rich literature around what is known as the primacy effect that indicates being first on the ballot is helpful. To counter this effect, many states randomize the order of candidate names by voting district.
Dean Shapiro: Ensuring Biden’s Regulations Survive
By issuing all of these regulations in the spring of 2024, the Biden administration has ensured that the Congress that is seated in January 2025 will not be able to use the CRA to overturn them. Any attempts to overturn the regulations will likely require 60 votes in the Senate.
Laurie Harrington named Executive Dir. of Heldrich Center
Laurie Harrington has been appointed Executive Director of the Heldrich Center for Workforce Development at Rutgers University. She has been serving as Acting Executive Director of the center since February 2024 and previously served as the center’s Assistant Director of Evaluation.
NJSPL – Safely Accommodating Micromobility Innovations
The Rutgers Micromobility 2.0 workshop, funded by the National Science Foundation in partnership with the Federal Highway Administration, provided tantalizing glimpses of a better future that seamlessly incorporates micromobility alongside pedestrians, cars, and transit.
New Jersey State Policy Lab Celebrates 3rd Anniversary
Our overarching goal is to expand understanding of policy issues impacting the state and to amplify policy recommendations – for policymakers, the public, and other key stakeholders. Our hope is that this work contributes to improving the quality of life for everyone who lives in New Jersey.
RAISE-24 Recap: Does News Media Spread Fear of AI?
The final round for the RAISE-24 Informatics – Data Science competition was held Friday, April 19, 2024 at the Bloustein School. Hosted by the Master of Public Informatics (MPI) program, the inaugural competition challenge asked competitors “Does News Media Spread Fear of AI?”
In the Middle with Joey Bloch: Julia Sass Rubin Talks County Organizational Line
Rutgers Edward J. Bloustein School of Public Policy Associate Dean Julia Sass Rubin joins Joey to discuss the Third Circuit Court of Appeals upholding the decision to strike down the County Organizational Line for this year’s Democratic Primary, the upcoming case that could get rid of it permanently and how to engage the average voter in an office block system.
Caring for Me is Caring for You: A Win-Win Strategy to Thrive Personally and Professionally
Dr. Pipas discussed the importance of well-being and drivers of burnout for all health professionals. By applying evidence-based well-being strategies to advance personal health, she sought to help professionals create their own personal health improvement plan (PHIP) to sustain well-being over a lifetime.
NJ Unemployment Insurance Claims Dashboard Released
The New Jersey Statewide Data System is the State of New Jersey’s centralized longitudinal data system for public administrative data. NJSDS is administered by the John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development at Rutgers’ Bloustein School.
Susan Krum, 2024 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.
Assembly speaker’s law firm has made millions since he took power. Critics cry foul.
“If you think that his being part of the firm has no impact on the fact that they’re getting this business, then I guess it doesn’t matter,” said Julia Sass Rubin, a professor at Rutgers’ Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy. “That seems a little unlikely.”
Research Day 2024 Recap: Winners and Videos
The Bloustein School’s 3rd Annual Research Day took place on Friday, April 12th. Watch the keynote address by Dr. Joel Cantor and Lightning Talks by various Bloustein professors and researchers.
Irina Grafova promoted to Associate Professor with Tenure
Dr. Grafova joined the Bloustein School in 2023 after several years as an Assistant Professor at the Rutgers School of Public Health, where she retains a secondary appointment. Trained as a health economist, her research aims to bring new evidence to socio-economic inequalities in health and health disparities. She has conducted research on family financial strain, family healthcare spending inequities, the financial burden of the disease, and health inequities stemming from the neighborhood and work environment.
Rubin Op Ed: What Must Be Done to Turn New Jersey into a Real Democracy?
“First and foremost, candidate order matters. There is a rich literature around what is known as the primacy effect that indicates being first on the ballot is helpful. To counter this effect, many states randomize the order of candidate names by voting district. This is easily done by computer and the process of ballot creation is quick, inexpensive, and fair.”
Voices of Inclusion: Advancing Disability Justice and Advocacy
The Bloustein School’s disability justice discussion aimed to raise awareness of ongoing issues and advocate for recognizing those with disabilities as deserving of equitable treatment and accommodations in all areas of life.
Research: Powering Bikeshare in New York City
In this study, we investigate the difference between shared electric bicycles (e-bikes) and conventional shared bikes operated by Citi Bike in New York City.
The End of the Line: New Jersey ballots change for the better
We should recognize just how low the bar is right now, and how dysfunctional democracy in New Jersey—and in the United States more generally—is likely to remain for the foreseeable future. – Matt Mazewski
NJ residents want transparency in government. That much is clear
“I do think that there is an opening for real reforms,” Rubin said. “I’m not naïve. I don’t think it’s like a switch is going to go off.”
Stamato Commentary: Freedom to read is freedom to think. It’s time for NJ lawmakers to protect both
“Across the nation, folks are using the power of the state to limit access to books, pressuring libraries to take books out of circulation. And school boards are considering demands to remove certain books from classroom reading and discussion. Taking a long historical perspective, it’s really nothing new. But it’s no less dangerous.”
The Biggest Barrier to a Vibrant Second-Hand EV Market? Price
“Taken together, these findings suggest that EV demand may still not be widespread for lower-income households in the U.S.,” Noland said. “Encouraging nationwide EV adoption will require broader uptake of new and used EVs from all income levels.”
New Report from NJ Statewide Data System on Dual-Enrollment Participation
A new report from the New Jersey Statewide Data System (NJSDS) analyzes program participation and outcomes and conducts a review of the two primary data sources on the topic.
Rubin Opinion: Making New Jersey a real democracy
Taken together, these five reforms would help vanquish the powerful grip that political machines have long had on our state.
New Paper on Affordable Rental Housing by NJSOARH
A new article by the NJSOARH team examines the difficulty of enumerating the number of federally subsidized housing units and provides a method of reconciling data sets at the parcel level to identify housing needs and rental stock.
NJSPL – Extreme Heat, Coastal Flooding, and Health Disparities
New Jersey is facing a myriad of climate challenges, many of which are linked to particularly problematic public health effects. Unfortunately, the state’s elderly population is uniquely vulnerable to these public health implications, and the population only continues to grow.
New Paper on Foreclosure Crisis by Prof. Eric Seymour
A new paper by Eric Seymour and Josh Akers investigates outcomes associated with properties sold using land contracts signed between 2008 and 2015 in Detroit, leveraging real estate transaction, tax foreclosure, and eviction and land contract forfeiture records
Marc Pfeiffer Weighs in on Essex County COVID-19 Funding Issues
“Not enough resources were spent to manage those contracts to ensure that controls were in place and there was monitoring done to prevent that type of a circumstance from happening,” Pfeiffer said.
Despite big changes, those who make N.J.’s laws still don’t reflect the state’s diversity
New Jersey is widely considered one of the most diverse states in the nation — but even after an election last year that brought big changes, most of the county leaders who make decisions are white men, notes Julia Sass Rubin.
University programs evolving to train tomorrow’s senior living leaders
Susan Krum, AuD, executive director of health administration at Rutgers University, says the biggest challenge is creating awareness for students on what it means to enter a career in aging services.
EJB Talks with Professor Michael Smart
Michael Smart shares his background in transportation, discussing how his work with people reentering society after incarceration influenced his interest in transportation challenges and emphasizing the importance of meaningful research that addresses pressing societal issues and aims to impact real-world problems.
NJSPL – New Report: 15-Minute Neighborhoods
The 15-minute neighborhood concept gained visibility as the global pandemic demonstrated that local access to basic life needs is critically important. Fifteen-minute neighborhoods provide residents with easy access to parks, schools, gathering places, social services, places to buy healthy fresh food, and other amenities within a comfortable walk or bike ride.
Bob Kopp named 2024 Guggenheim Fellow
Bob Kopp is an associated faculty member with the Bloustein School. He is a climate and sea-level scientist, a climate policy scholar, and a distinguished professor in the Department of Earth & Planetary Sciences. He won the 2024 Fellowship in the Geography & Environmental Studies category.
New Jersey’s electoral process just got upended
Party leaders give preferential placement to their candidates. Those not on the county line are tucked away in obscure rows and columns. Julia Sass Rubin of Rutgers University
looked at 20 years of New Jersey races and found that the county line steered voters and helped preferred candidates by an average difference of 38%.
Jane Miller Featured on Million Dollar Stories Podcast
Jane E. Miller is not just a writer; she’s a visionary storyteller on a mission to revolutionize how we communicate about data. So, if you’re ready to take your data game to the next level, do yourself a favour and grab a copy of “The Chicago Guide to Writing about Multivariate Analysis, Second Edition.” Trust me, you won’t regret it.
Banking, finance sector layoffs hit NJ, include Prudential and JPMorgan Chase
NJSPL – Newark Community-Based Organizers’ Perspectives
What can we do about young adults who are disengaged and not enrolling in college? In this NJSPL blog, representatives of community-based organizations identify barriers that Newark youth face in planning for Higher Education and their future (e.g., limited finances, difficulties completing the FAFSA,
County clerks forge ahead with new ballot design
Travel Training Individuals with Hidden Disabilities
Public transportation is essential for many people and provides access to employment, education, healthcare, and social activities. However, for an individual with an invisible disability, using public transportation can be a challenging task.
Julia Rubin and Rutgers Experts Make History on Party Line
“One of the impacts of the county line has been discouraging those who do not receive the party’s endorsement from running. Candidates understand that running off the line is ineffective so they tend to drop out if they are not selected for the line.”
New Research: Impact of Peer Support After Opioid Overdose
In this cohort study of patients treated for opioid overdose, OORP implementation was associated with an increase in MOUD initiation and a decrease in repeat medically treated overdoses. The large variation in outcomes across hospitals suggests that treatment effects were heterogeneous and may depend on factors such as implementation success, program embeddedness, and availability of other hospital- and community-based OUD services.
Could the end of the NJ county line doom county political machines? Some wonder
“I think people will start to speak up and you’ll see more people entering contests,” said Julia Sass Rubin. “You will see more pushback … We’ll see more bravery.”
NJSPL Report: Resilience Through Functionality
In this work, we introduce a novel approach to resilience assessment, emphasizing essential functionalities over intricate attributes. Resilience, in this context, means ensuring uninterrupted access to critical services and functions during and after disasters.