July 14, 2025 | NJ State Policy Updates
Education Bills Expanding Free Preschool and Kindergarten Become Law – On July 9th, Governor Phil Murphy signed two bills into law to expand access to free preschool and full-day kindergarten in the state. Bill S3910 (P.L.2025, c.100.) requires all school...
July 8, 2025 | NJ State Policy Updates
Public Administration State Moves Forward with Digital Driver’s License – On June 30th, the Assembly voted 75-3 to approve Bill A3518, which would allow the Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to issue digital driver’s licenses and ID cards. The bill also states that...
June 30, 2025 | NJ State Policy Updates
Public Administration Lawmakers Approve $58.8 Billion Spending Plan for Fiscal Year 2026 – On June 30th, the Assembly voted 52-27 to approve Bill A5800, which appropriates $58.8 billion for the state’s fiscal year 2026 budget, set to begin July 1st. The Senate...
June 23, 2025 | NJ State Policy Updates
Economics Unemployment Insurance Tax Rates to Drop for Businesses Starting July – Beginning July 1, unemployment insurance tax rates will decrease from a range of 0.6%-6.4% to 0.5%-5.8%. The change is expected to save businesses across the state about $300...
June 22, 2025 | In the News
NJSPL Policy Fellow Linda Stamato published a new op-ed discussing the rise in AI usage across the country and the importance of mitigating potential societal risks by taking potential regulations and safety concerns into account.
June 13, 2025 | In the News
Newswise shared an article from Rutgers Today discussing the impact of the New Jersey Promising Practices Project, a collaborative effort between the New Jersey Department of Education, the New Jersey State Policy Lab, and the Cornwall Center for Metropolitan Studies,...
June 12, 2025 | In the News
Rutgers Today published an article interviewing Dr. Elizabeth Cooner, Dr. Vandeen Campbell, and Dr. Charles Payne discussing the Promising Practices Project, a collaborative research effort between the New Jersey Department of Education, the New Jersey State Policy...
June 9, 2025 | NJ State Policy Updates
Public Administration Response Measures to Electricity Price Surge Under Review – On June 2nd, the Senate voted 25-12 along party lines to approve Bill SJR154, which would require the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to investigate PJM Interconnection’s...
June 2, 2025 | NJ State Policy Updates
Housing Assembly Passes Bill to Define Standards for Allowable Rent Increases – On May 22nd, the Assembly voted 50-26 to pass Bill A5432, which would codify a judicial test to determine whether a rent increase is “unconscionable”. Under the measure,...
June 2, 2025 | NJSPL Announcements
The New Jersey State Policy Lab is excited to announce that the fourth annual summer internship program has begun at the Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy. Six students have been selected to participate in this year’s program, which will encompass ten...
May 19, 2025 | NJ State Policy Updates
Education Federal Mental Health Grant Cuts Threaten NJ School Services – Recent federal cuts of nearly $1 billion nationwide in school-based mental health grants will force New Jersey to prematurely end a statewide initiative focused on expanding access to...
May 13, 2025 | NJ State Policy Updates
Public Administration Murphy Issues Conditional Veto on Pop-Up Party Bill Over First Amendment Concerns – On May 8th, Governor Phil Murphy conditionally vetoed Bill SA4652, which would criminalize inciting public brawls and increase penalties for disorderly...
May 8, 2025 | In the News
NJSPL Research Affiliate Anita Franzione published an article with the New Jersey Advocates for Aging Well discussing economic challenges for older adults in the Garden State.
May 5, 2025 | NJ State Policy Updates
Public Administration Lawmakers Consider Utility Reform Bills Ahead of Summer Rate Hikes – On May 5th, the Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee held a hearing on several bills that aim to mitigate upcoming electricity rate increases. The proposed...
April 28, 2025 | NJ State Policy Updates
Health New Jersey Establishes Public Health Institute – On April 22nd, Governor Phil Murphy signed Bill S3562 (P.L.2025, c.46.) into law, authorizing the Department of Health to designate a nonprofit Public Health Institute. This institute will coordinate public...
April 24, 2025 | NJSPL Announcements
As the New Jersey State Policy Lab (NJSPL) reaches its fourth anniversary, it is my honor to serve as the Executive Director, working with an incredible team of dedicated professionals to better understand and investigate policy issues impacting the state. The NJSPL...
April 24, 2025 | In the News
NJSPL Policy Fellow Linda Stamato published a new op-ed in New Jersey Hills discussing the importance of public service journalism to benefit the community as a whole.
April 22, 2025 | NJ State Policy Updates
Public Administration Appeal Filed in School Segregation Case – On April 15th, attorneys filed a motion asking a state appellate court to reconsider a lawsuit alleging the state has failed to address racial segregation in its public schools. The case, originally...
April 16, 2025 | In the News
The Ocean City School District wrote and published an article detailing their superintendent’s participation in the New Jersey Promising Practices Summit, a one-day educational event held for educators across the state in collaboration with the New Jersey...
April 14, 2025 | NJ State Policy Updates
Public Administration Assembly Committee Advances Bill Expanding Retirement Savings Access – On April 10th, the Assembly State and Local Government Committee unanimously advanced Bill A5358, which would expand eligibility for the RetireReady NJ program. The bill...
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