News
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.”