News
Data shows reduced public participation under virtual-only Lakewood Township meetings
“In person meetings have a value, they provide upfront interaction with the people they represent. It allows more direct participation and provides nuance that can’t be seen or observed or happen when you are on a webinar,” said Marc Pfeiffer, a senior policy fellow at the Bloustein Local Government Center for Urban Policy Research at Rutgers University. “In person requires a little more formality. It requires a better sense of decorum, which is representative of the official nature of what is going on.”
100 companies announced 13,300 layoffs in NJ in 2024. Here’s how to file for unemployment
“The Great Resignation has yielded to the Great Stay,” Hughes said in an interview. “It could definitely be shrinking … which suggests this is really a correction.”
Dr. Williams Explores State-Level Structural Racism and Suicide
This study co-authored by Dr. Shar Williams examined the association between state-level structural racism and past year rates of suicide ideation (SI) and suicide attempts (SA) among non-Hispanic Black, Hispanic, and non-Hispanic White adolescents.
Rent going up again? You’re not alone. Hudson County’s market 2025
“It will take a good deal of time in order to see that new supply has an effect on affordability in markets,” said Eric Seymour of Rutgers University’s Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy.
New Jersey commuters face higher transportation costs in 2025
Rutgers University economist James Hughes, dean emeritus of the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, said over the past two years, lower-income residents were saved from rate hikes because federal rescue funds allowed NJ Transit to operate without fare increases during the height of the pandemic.
Improving How We Measure Cumulative Regulatory Impact
A new blog post by Dean Stuart Shaprio discusses the challenges and importance of measuring the cumulative impact of regulations in the United States.
The Road Well-Traveled: Jon Carnegie Retiring
“Stay optimistic, forward-thinking, and interested in advancing the things that are important to you and to VTC, which are equity, quality research, technical assistance, and expertise to the parties who need it.”
NJSPL: New Jersey Policy Priorities Survey Results
The survey presented 23 policy issues for participants to consider. Housing emerged as the top concern, with more than half of respondents identifying it as the highest priority for New Jersey
Henry Coleman and Jermaine Toney participate as members of the Economic Justice Committee within the New Jersey Reparations Council (NJRC)
Henry Coleman and Jermaine Toney participate as members of the Economic Justice Committee within the New Jersey Reparations Council (NJRC). The NJRC Economic Justice Committee held its Public Session on Thursday, December 12, 2024.
Assembly panel approves overhaul of New Jersey primary ballots
“My concern would be not that they would be misleading by saying they’re endorsed and they’re not. My concerns there would be that it overtly puts the endorsement on the ballot, and the ballot should not be a way of communicating the endorsement,” said Julia Sass Rubin, a Rutgers professor who has studied the line’s impact on election results.
NJ lawmakers vote to reform primary ballot
“Candidates could put, ‘Endorsed by Mercer County Democrats,’ says Bloustein School Professor Julia Sass Rubin. “There’s nothing in the bill I could find that prohibits that. And so it becomes a very visible cue on the ballot — which is the whole point of eliminating the county line.”
Dr. Grafova Examines Financial Hardships for Cancer Survivors
A new publication from Dr. Irina Grafova: Household income and county income inequality are associated with financial hardship among cancer survivors in New Jersey