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New Jersey’s rising unemployment makes economic future uncertain

New Jersey’s rising unemployment makes economic future uncertain

New Jersey’s unemployment rose sharply in 2023, leaving economic experts wondering whether a rocky road is ahead in the new year. The state unemployment rate climbed from 3.4% in January to 4.7% in November, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. November’s...

Let’s Keep Focus on “The Line” in NJ Politics

Let’s Keep Focus on “The Line” in NJ Politics

If you’re not in-the-know, The Line is where you want to be on the ballot if you’re running for office in New Jersey. Candidates granted The Line by NJ’s political gatekeepers are almost assured of victory, especially in a primary election. That’s why NJ’s powerful political machines invest so much time and treasure into determining who gets the line and (perhaps more importantly) who doesn’t.

Reimagining Circulation in Somerset County, NJ

Reimagining Circulation in Somerset County, NJ

This Studio Class has worked with the Somerset County Office of Planning, Policy and Economic Development to explore strategies that would complement and leverage the new vision for public transportation in Somerset County.

Dayana Toledo-Mendoza, MPI ’23

Dayana Toledo-Mendoza, MPI ’23

Nonprofit Maven and Rising Public Informatics Star Meet Dayana T., a dedicated professional at Rutgers University making waves in the nonprofit sector and a Master of Public Informatics graduate student at the Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers....

NJSPL – New Jersey Population Growth Recovers

NJSPL – New Jersey Population Growth Recovers

This month, the U.S. Census Bureau released its annual state population estimates, revealing that New Jersey is resuming population growth after experiencing a decline of nearly 30,000 residents since the 2020 Decennial Census. The increase of just over 30,000 residents (0.3%) in 2023 as of the Bureau’s July 1 estimate brings the state population to slightly above the April 1 2020 decennial base.

Elana Simon, MPI ’22

Elana Simon, MPI ’22

First-Gen. Grad and Energy Analytics TrailblazerElana Simon, Senior Research Fellow - Center for Law, Inequality, and Metropolitan Equity, is a 2022 MCRP-MPI graduate of the Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy. Through a careful...

Bar part-time officials from full-time perks, incoming N.J. lawmaker says

Bar part-time officials from full-time perks, incoming N.J. lawmaker says

“That doesn’t excuse individuals who have consciously abused the system,” said Pfeiffer, now a professor at Rutgers University. “But there are probably any number of cases where elected officials can spend 30, 35 hours a week in their job as an unpaid or low-paid elected official.

EJB Talks–Navigating a Politically Turbulent 2023 and the Ominous Prelude to 2024

EJB Talks–Navigating a Politically Turbulent 2023 and the Ominous Prelude to 2024

We’re closing EJB Talks for the year with a discussion of the tumultuous political events of 2023, including the chaotic dynamics within the Republican Party, the potential ramifications of Kevin McCarthy’s replacement as Speaker of the House, the ongoing challenges in passing crucial legislation, and more.