Newsroom

On April 23rd, the New Jersey State Policy Lab marked its five-year anniversary with a celebratory dinner and networking event. The evening was festive as guests learned more about our work, gained insights from policy leaders, and fortified connections with each other. Joined by elected officials, faculty, students, alumni, and corporate and nonprofit leaders, we […]

Economics Governor Sherril Signs Law Banning Restaurant Reservation Scalping – On May 7th, Governor Mikie Sherrill signed legislation (A3318/SCS for S1193 and 1197) banning the practice of “restaurant reservation scalping,” a policy aimed at protecting both consumers and small businesses ahead of major tourism events such as the FIFA World Cup. The law (P.L.2026, c.12.) […]

NJSPL Policy Fellow Linda Stamato published a new op-ed on NJ.com discussing self-censorship and academic freedom amongst professors within higher education.

Education Bill to Improve Access to School Meal Assistance Programs Advances – On March 23rd, the date of the most recent legislative digest, the New Jersey General Assembly approved Bill A3882 by a unanimous 73-0 vote. Sponsored by Assemblymembers Craig Coughlin (D-19), Annette Quijano (D-20) and Dan Hutchison (D-4), the bill would require public schools […]

Economics Legislature Advances Five Bills to Regulate AI Data Centers – New Jersey state lawmakers are advancing bills to limit the data center industry’s impact on ratepayers, the grid, and the environment. First, Bill S731/A796, approved by the Assembly, would mainly require large data centers using 100 megawatts or more to pay for at least […]

Education NJ’s School Funding Formula Faces Scrutiny at Budget Hearing – On April 15th, Education Commissioner Lily Laux testified before the Assembly Budget Committee in defense the proposed $22.5 billion education budget, which includes a record $12.4 billion in school aid. Commissioner Laux acknowledged that the funding formula, nearly 20 years old, was groundbreaking when […]

This year’s third annual Policy Collaboratory convened graduate students, faculty experts, and policy practitioners from across New Jersey to discuss challenges surrounding access to higher education. With parallel missions of providing evidence-based research to guide policymaking in New Jersey, the New Jersey State Policy Lab and SPIA in NJ, with support from the Rutgers Democracy […]

Economics Governor Sherrill Signs Law to Lift Nuclear Moratorium and Expand Energy Supply – On April 8th, Governor Sherrill signed legislation S3870/A4528 (P.L.2026, c.9.) into law, removing a key regulatory barrier that imposed a de facto moratorium on new nuclear power for decades and thereby blocked any new nuclear power development in New Jersey. The […]

NJSPL Research Affiliates Irina Grafova, Pamela B. de Cordova, and Jennifer Polakowski were published in the Journal of Advanced Nursing analyzing a cross-sectional survey conducted among New Jersey nurses to track their participation in an online wellness well-being program.

Cannabis Gov. Sherrill Signs New Law Revising Restrictions for Hemp Products and Beverages – On March 30th, Governor Mikie Sherrill signed Bill S3945 into law, which revises restrictions on the sale of hemp products and intoxicating hemp beverages through November 2026. The law (P.L.2026, c.7.) allows licensed hemp producers to possess or transport intermediate hemp-derived […]

Cannabis Legislature Passes Hemp Regulation Extension Through November 2026 – On March 23rd, both chambers of the NJ Legislature passed Bill S3945, which temporarily revises restrictions on the sale of hemp products and intoxicating hemp beverages through November 2026. The bill was introduced on March 12th and extends restrictions on synthetic or high THC hemp-derived […]

Women’s History Month is a time to honor the achievements of women who have transformed our communities and our nation. It is also an opportunity to examine how the policies we create influence women’s opportunities, health, economic security, and leadership. In response to an invitation from Douglass Residential College and the Institute for Women’s Leadership […]