“Public comment periods and regulations are not a plebiscite, they’re not a vote. So it doesn’t officially matter whether it’s 80-20 one way or 70-30 or 51-49. One thing I can assure you, the administration, any administration, will not count up and let those totals affect their final decisions,” said Stuart Shapiro, the dean of the Rutgers School of Planning and Public Policy and a former OMB official who has written about the role public comments play in shaping regulation.
Topic
Public Policy
NJSPL: Making Sense of NJ Hospital Consolidation in a Challenging Policy Environment
The recent wave of hospital consolidation has affected all of New Jersey’s Hospital Referral Regions (HRRs), which represent the distinct markets where most patients receive their hospital care.
Podcast ‘From Campaigns to Classrooms’: Teaching a new generation about advocacy with Bob Sommer
“Lobbying is a fundamental part of the American system,” Sommer emphasized, noting how the mechanics of modern advocacy have continuously shifted alongside tightening state and federal regulations and rapid technological disruptions.
EJB Talks: From Campaigns to Classrooms: Teaching a New Generation About Advocacy
Dean Stuart Shapiro talks to Bob Sommer GSNB ’84, a Bloustein School alumnus, lecturer, and member of the school’s Advisory Board about his journey from an accounting major to a career in public policy and his transition from working on a congressional campaign to roles in government and lobbying.
Jagannathan Receives Fulbright to Expand Nurture Thru Nature in India
As part of the Fulbright award, Jagannathan will make multiple visits to Delhi between August 2026 and July 2028 to co-design, implement, and evaluate a tailored version of the NtN program alongside faculty partners in India.
Bloustein School Joins National Effort to Advance Constructive Dialogue Across Campuses
The Bloustein School is proud to join the Constructive Dialogue Scaling Initiative, a national program bringing together leading schools of public service to embed constructive dialogue deeply and durably across their institutions. At a moment when open dialogue feels...
Ashley Caldwell (PP ’26), Daughter of Lt. Governor, Blazes Her Own Trail of Service
“Ever since I was little, I had a passion to help people who couldn’t help themselves,” said Caldwell, who attends Edward J. Bloustein of Planning and Public Policy. “I took a public policy course and fell in love with the subject matter. I felt like it was one of the only majors that you’re asked to come up with your own innovative solutions.’’
New Jersey State Policy Lab Celebrates 5th Anniversary with Annual Report
We are prepared to continue this important work into the future, building connections between research and policy, investing in the next generation of leaders, and centering the needs of communities across New Jersey.
Ivania Martinez: Economics, Data Science, and Public Policy
Ivania Martinez’s work combines economics, data science, and public policy to support data-driven decision-making and social impact.
NJSPL: How Demonstration Projects Strengthen Rapid Response Programs
Demonstration projects are short-term, low-cost installations that test street design changes. They have become a powerful tool for municipalities looking to improve safety, build public support, and accelerate long-term improvements.