Newsroom

CNN quoted NJSPL Research Affiliate and Eagleton Institute of Politics Director Kristoffer Shields in an article discussing the number of health professionals running for office for the 2026 midterm elections.

Public Administration Polls are Open for General Election Day – The 2026 midterm elections are underway across the country, and polls will be open in New Jersey from 6:00am-8:00pm. Information on voting, polling locations, and election results for the Garden State can be found in the New Jersey Voter Information Portal. NJ Joins Lawsuit Alleging […]

Public Administration Bill to Display Human Trafficking Notices in Chinese and Korean Passes Committee – On October 22nd, Bill A1408 which was introduced by Assemblywoman Park (D-36) and Assemblyman Calabrese (D-37) and was approved through the Assembly Appropriations Committee. The legislation, if passed, would broaden the number of languages in which human trafficking public awareness signage […]

In Pennsylvania, when Governor Josh Shapiro’s administration set out to train 175 state employees on how to use ChatGPT responsibly, the state reported saving an average of 95 minutes when they utilized it for drafting and summarizing lengthy documents. As other states look to investigate how AI use can streamline its processes within the government, […]

A new article from the Boston Globe cites research conducted with NJSPL Co-Principal Investigator Greg Porumbescu discussing findings from survey of about 100,000 government workers on tech use. Among the results, less than a quarter indicated they used AI weekly. Greg Porumbescu is also Director of the Public Interest and Technology Management Lab within the […]

Rutgers University was selected as the institution to host New Jersey’s Social Media Research Center, part of Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s ongoing efforts to strengthen online protections for young people and address youth mental health. New Jersey State Policy Lab’s principal investigator, Gregory Porumbescu, was selected to serve on the center’s executive board.

Public Administration Governor Sherrill Announces Nominations to State Superior Court and Tax Court – On October 15th, Governor Sherrill nominated three candidates to serve on the Superior Court and one candidate to serve on the Tax Court. The nominees for Superior Court are John E. Lanza in Hunterdon County, Joseph Paravecchia in Mercer County, and Nikkie […]

Housing Bill Introduced to Establish a Pre-Approved Design Guide for Accessory Dwelling Units – On October 5th, Senator Wimberly (D-35) introduced Bill S4764 which would instruct the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) to develop a list of pre-approved designs for accessory dwelling units. Accessory dwelling units (ADU) are smaller housing units built on the lots already occupied […]

Will Irving’s R/ECON economic forecast research was cited in a recent article from The Shelby Report discussing the closure of 28 grocery stores in New Jersey in the past two years.

Transportation Bill Introduced to Authorize Municipalities to Reduce Speed Limits in Historic Districts – On October 1st, Senator Singleton (D-7) and Senator Tiver (R-8) introduced Bill S4489 which would delegate the power to set speed limits to 15 miles per hour in designated historic districts. The legislation would require municipalities to conduct a traffic engineering study […]

NJ Spotlight News correspondent Catherine Carrera interviewed Executive Director Elizabeth Cooner to discuss trends in higher education enrollment and achievement in the Garden State.

Housing Faith-Based Affordable Housing Bill Introduced into New Jersey Assembly – On September 24th, Assemblywoman Reynolds-Jackson (D-15) introduced Assembly Bill A5570, which would authorize $250 million in bonds and appropriate $50 million to support the development of inclusionary and affordable housing on properties owned by religious and nonprofit institutions. The bill, titled “Yes in God’s Backyard […]