Newsroom

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 Lab, and the Cornwall Center for Metropolitan Studies. This project examined innovative and effective instructional practices in public […]

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 price-setting auction that resulted in a nearly tenfold price increase compared to the previous year’s auction. Supporting […]

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, a judge would assess whether an increase is excessive based on criteria such as the […]

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 weeks of researching and exploring public policy topics in and around the […]

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 mental health professionals in schools. The five-year, $15 million program provided services to over 40,000 students […]

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 conduct. Murphy supports the bill’s intent to prevent public disturbances. However, he returned the bill to the Assembly, citing […]

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.

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 measures, scheduled to take effect in June, include requiring the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to return […]

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 health initiatives among government agencies and providers, provide administrative and financial support to public, private, and community-based […]

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 was created as the result of a grant from the Office of the Secretary […]

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.

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 filed in 2018, argues that longstanding discriminatory housing policies have made New Jersey’s schools […]