Environment
Governor Murphy Signs Bill to Boost Renewable Energy Generation and Capacity – On August 22nd, Governor Phil Murphy signed two bills aimed at expanding renewable energy generation in the state. Bill S4530 directs the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to register an additional 3,000 megawatts of solar capacity, while Bill A5267 establishes a $1 billion incentive program to create 1,000 megawatts of battery storage over the next five years. Supporters, including Democratic lawmakers and labor officials, praised the measure as a means to lower costs, strengthen the grid, and expand solar access. These measures come amid both rising energy demand and costs in the state, as well as federal resistance to new renewable energy projects, which could delay or lessen project investments.
Public Administration
New Jersey Joins Lawsuit Against Trump Administration Move to Withhold Aid to Victims Due to State Immigration Policy – On August 18th, New Jersey joined a coalition of states in filing its 33rd lawsuit against the Trump administration since January 2025. The most recent lawsuit challenges the federal government’s attempt to strip more than $1 billion in federal aid from jurisdictions that limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, arguing that the policy unlawfully undermines the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA). Critics of the move warned that the cuts would jeopardize shelters, hotlines, and essential services for survivors. New Jersey has received $29 million in VOCA funds since 2020, which supported about 433,000 victims in 2024.
Women, Children, & Families
New Jersey’s Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) is Paused Indefinitely After State Budget Cuts – In early August, the state Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) was paused indefinitely after cuts to the state’s 2026 fiscal year budget. The budget approved $80 million for CCAP, a program within the New Jersey Department of Human Services that helps income-eligible parents pay the cost of fulltime childcare, which was $30 million less in funds the program needed to cover future applicants. New Jersey families spend an average of 19% of their income on childcare, significantly more than the 7% of income which is what is considered “affordable” under federal guidelines. At the end of July, the program stopped accepting new applicants.