Jag Davies 🌹
@jagdavies.bsky.social
communications director @fairsharehousing.bsky.social
alum @finesandfeesjc, @drugpolicy.org, @aclu.org
political strategy, affordable housing, decarceration & decriminalization, harm reduction & public health +
#HousingNotHandcuffs
alum @finesandfeesjc, @drugpolicy.org, @aclu.org
political strategy, affordable housing, decarceration & decriminalization, harm reduction & public health +
#HousingNotHandcuffs
Pinned
Jag Davies 🌹
@jagdavies.bsky.social
· Sep 2
Mount Laurel at 50: New Jersey’s Blueprint for Dismantling Residential Segregation
Fifty years ago, the New Jersey Supreme Court created a groundbreaking affordable housing framework. A new law gives it real teeth.
statecourtreport.org
My new piece for @brennancenter.org's @statecourtreport.org looks at how New Jersey built the strongest statewide policy in the U.S. to *require* that every municipality create its fair share of affordable homes: statecourtreport.org/our-work/ana...
Reposted by Jag Davies 🌹
What the proponents of Pollingism simply cannot understand is that the purpose of politics is to enact an agenda, not simply to win for the sake of doing so.
contrarian.substack.com/p/bringing-a...
contrarian.substack.com/p/bringing-a...
Bringing a Survey to a Gun Fight, Part I
“Pollingism” Has Failed Democrats and Voters. Tuesday Showed the Power of Magnetism.
contrarian.substack.com
November 9, 2025 at 5:30 PM
What the proponents of Pollingism simply cannot understand is that the purpose of politics is to enact an agenda, not simply to win for the sake of doing so.
contrarian.substack.com/p/bringing-a...
contrarian.substack.com/p/bringing-a...
Reposted by Jag Davies 🌹
I'm in @thenation.com this morning on the repeated failure of transphobia as political strategy, efforts to scapegoat trans people for Democrats' own failures, and Zohran Mamdani's model of solidarity
November 7, 2025 at 2:43 PM
I'm in @thenation.com this morning on the repeated failure of transphobia as political strategy, efforts to scapegoat trans people for Democrats' own failures, and Zohran Mamdani's model of solidarity
Reposted by Jag Davies 🌹
Mamdani has prioritized Public Safety throughout the campaign. By refusing to hire 5,000 more police, as proposed by Cuomo, he is saving the city hundreds of millions of dollars that can now be spent on real public safety. www.cityandstateny.com/opinion/2025...
Opinion: Mamdani’s proposed Department of Community Safety would be a win for New Yorkers
The proposal is well-grounded in existing best practices, and there is wide support for it among the public and City Council.
www.cityandstateny.com
November 5, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Mamdani has prioritized Public Safety throughout the campaign. By refusing to hire 5,000 more police, as proposed by Cuomo, he is saving the city hundreds of millions of dollars that can now be spent on real public safety. www.cityandstateny.com/opinion/2025...
Reposted by Jag Davies 🌹
Congratulations to Gov.-Elect @repsherrill.bsky.social!
NJ voters want bold action on housing — protecting tenants, expanding affordable housing, and reforming outdated zoning laws.
We look forward to working with the new administration to make housing a top priority from day one.
Our statement:
NJ voters want bold action on housing — protecting tenants, expanding affordable housing, and reforming outdated zoning laws.
We look forward to working with the new administration to make housing a top priority from day one.
Our statement:
November 5, 2025 at 3:14 AM
Congratulations to Gov.-Elect @repsherrill.bsky.social!
NJ voters want bold action on housing — protecting tenants, expanding affordable housing, and reforming outdated zoning laws.
We look forward to working with the new administration to make housing a top priority from day one.
Our statement:
NJ voters want bold action on housing — protecting tenants, expanding affordable housing, and reforming outdated zoning laws.
We look forward to working with the new administration to make housing a top priority from day one.
Our statement:
Reposted by Jag Davies 🌹
A small group of wealthy towns tried to overturn New Jersey's landmark affordable housing law — and lost.
Thanks to the law, many more of NJ's municipalities are creating affordable housing than ever before.
Learn more in this informative piece by @njspotlightnews.org's @colleenodea.bsky.social:
Thanks to the law, many more of NJ's municipalities are creating affordable housing than ever before.
Learn more in this informative piece by @njspotlightnews.org's @colleenodea.bsky.social:
Affordable housing process survives NJ court challenge | NJ Spotlight News
Judge dismisses claims by towns looking to avoid state plan for low-cost housing
www.njspotlightnews.org
October 15, 2025 at 4:44 PM
A small group of wealthy towns tried to overturn New Jersey's landmark affordable housing law — and lost.
Thanks to the law, many more of NJ's municipalities are creating affordable housing than ever before.
Learn more in this informative piece by @njspotlightnews.org's @colleenodea.bsky.social:
Thanks to the law, many more of NJ's municipalities are creating affordable housing than ever before.
Learn more in this informative piece by @njspotlightnews.org's @colleenodea.bsky.social:
Reposted by Jag Davies 🌹
ICE is terrorizing immigrants—and being used as a tool to discipline labor. A witness in a wage theft case was detained. Immigrant warehouse workers face discrimination. Day laborers and street vendors are being targeted, and so are rapid response networks. My latest.
How ICE Terror Campaigns Are Used to Discipline Labor
While Chicago sees a surge of ICE detentions, workers are facing retaliation as immigrants when they advocate for their rights.
prospect.org
October 1, 2025 at 1:34 PM
ICE is terrorizing immigrants—and being used as a tool to discipline labor. A witness in a wage theft case was detained. Immigrant warehouse workers face discrimination. Day laborers and street vendors are being targeted, and so are rapid response networks. My latest.
Reposted by Jag Davies 🌹
“Today, more than 400,000 New Jerseyans live in homes created through the Mount Laurel doctrine. Fifty years after the original ruling, it stands as one of the most durable and impactful examples of state constitutional law being used to confront structural inequality.”
50 years ago, NJ’s Supreme Court ruled every town must create its fair share of affordable homes.
Today, that framework is stronger than ever — and a national model.
For @statecourtreport.org, @jagdavies.bsky.social explores NJ's lessons for other U.S. states: statecourtreport.org/our-work/ana...
Today, that framework is stronger than ever — and a national model.
For @statecourtreport.org, @jagdavies.bsky.social explores NJ's lessons for other U.S. states: statecourtreport.org/our-work/ana...
Mount Laurel at 50: New Jersey’s Blueprint for Dismantling Residential Segregation
Fifty years ago, the New Jersey Supreme Court created a groundbreaking affordable housing framework. A new law gives it real teeth.
statecourtreport.org
September 22, 2025 at 9:01 PM
“Today, more than 400,000 New Jerseyans live in homes created through the Mount Laurel doctrine. Fifty years after the original ruling, it stands as one of the most durable and impactful examples of state constitutional law being used to confront structural inequality.”
Reposted by Jag Davies 🌹
Earlier this month, Passaic passed a new law that caps rent increases at 3% and ends vacancy decontrol.
Read more about the tremendous work by tenant organizers & @maketheroadnj.bsky.social to protect Passaic's residents from displacement and homelessness: www.nj.com/news/2025/09...
Read more about the tremendous work by tenant organizers & @maketheroadnj.bsky.social to protect Passaic's residents from displacement and homelessness: www.nj.com/news/2025/09...
This N.J. city just took an important step to keep rents from skyrocketing
Passaic's new rent control ordinance cuts maximum annual increases in half and eliminates a loophole that allowed landlords to dramatically raise rents when tenants moved out.
www.nj.com
September 15, 2025 at 6:33 PM
Earlier this month, Passaic passed a new law that caps rent increases at 3% and ends vacancy decontrol.
Read more about the tremendous work by tenant organizers & @maketheroadnj.bsky.social to protect Passaic's residents from displacement and homelessness: www.nj.com/news/2025/09...
Read more about the tremendous work by tenant organizers & @maketheroadnj.bsky.social to protect Passaic's residents from displacement and homelessness: www.nj.com/news/2025/09...
Reposted by Jag Davies 🌹
This is what is possible w/ state mandates for inclusion of a fair share of affordable housing, coupled w/ persistent enforcement. Not only inclusion on a building by building level, but town by town.
It doesnt just happen…
It doesnt just happen…
423 NJ towns have filed plans to create their fair share of affordable housing—many more than ever before.
But 16 towns are trying to shirk NJ's affordable housing law—and we just filed challenges to hold them accountable.
Read more in our press release: www.fairsharehousing.org/press-releas...
But 16 towns are trying to shirk NJ's affordable housing law—and we just filed challenges to hold them accountable.
Read more in our press release: www.fairsharehousing.org/press-releas...
Housing Plan Challenge Deadline: Many of NJ’s Largest Suburbs Adopt Strongest Plans Ever, While A Small Few Attempt to Flaunt Law - Fair Share Housing Center
Record 423 Municipalities Adopt Plans to Meet NJ’s Affordable Housing Requirements — Many More Than Ever Before
www.fairsharehousing.org
September 4, 2025 at 8:13 PM
This is what is possible w/ state mandates for inclusion of a fair share of affordable housing, coupled w/ persistent enforcement. Not only inclusion on a building by building level, but town by town.
It doesnt just happen…
It doesnt just happen…
Reposted by Jag Davies 🌹
NEW: As the housing affordability crisis deepens, NJ's 1975 high court decision outlawing exclusionary zoning serves as a powerful model for other states. @jagdavies.bsky.social new piece explores one of the most compelling examples of state constitutional law being used to promote civil rights.
Mount Laurel at 50: New Jersey’s Blueprint for Dismantling Residential Segregation
Fifty years ago, the New Jersey Supreme Court created a groundbreaking affordable housing framework. A new law gives it real teeth.
statecourtreport.org
September 2, 2025 at 10:10 PM
NEW: As the housing affordability crisis deepens, NJ's 1975 high court decision outlawing exclusionary zoning serves as a powerful model for other states. @jagdavies.bsky.social new piece explores one of the most compelling examples of state constitutional law being used to promote civil rights.
My new piece for @brennancenter.org's @statecourtreport.org looks at how New Jersey built the strongest statewide policy in the U.S. to *require* that every municipality create its fair share of affordable homes: statecourtreport.org/our-work/ana...
Mount Laurel at 50: New Jersey’s Blueprint for Dismantling Residential Segregation
Fifty years ago, the New Jersey Supreme Court created a groundbreaking affordable housing framework. A new law gives it real teeth.
statecourtreport.org
September 2, 2025 at 8:26 PM
My new piece for @brennancenter.org's @statecourtreport.org looks at how New Jersey built the strongest statewide policy in the U.S. to *require* that every municipality create its fair share of affordable homes: statecourtreport.org/our-work/ana...
Reposted by Jag Davies 🌹
NEW: This year marks the 50th anniversary of the NJ Supreme Court's Mount Laurel decision outlawing exclusionary zoning in the state. Jag Davies @fairsharehousing.bsky.social gives a fascinating account of the groundbreaking ruling & long fight over enforcement. statecourtreport.org/our-work/ana...
Mount Laurel at 50: New Jersey’s Blueprint for Dismantling Residential Segregation
Fifty years ago, the New Jersey Supreme Court created a groundbreaking affordable housing framework. A new law gives it real teeth.
statecourtreport.org
September 2, 2025 at 7:18 PM
NEW: This year marks the 50th anniversary of the NJ Supreme Court's Mount Laurel decision outlawing exclusionary zoning in the state. Jag Davies @fairsharehousing.bsky.social gives a fascinating account of the groundbreaking ruling & long fight over enforcement. statecourtreport.org/our-work/ana...
Reposted by Jag Davies 🌹
The best in the nation, thanks largely to the persistance of @fairsharehousing.bsky.social
As famous as the Mt Laurel doctrine is among affordable and fair housing advocates, if anything it is under appreciated recent advocates of zoning reform focused mostly on market rate housing and cities.
As famous as the Mt Laurel doctrine is among affordable and fair housing advocates, if anything it is under appreciated recent advocates of zoning reform focused mostly on market rate housing and cities.
Thanks to NJ's new law strengthening the Mount Laurel Doctrine, far more towns are creating affordable housing than ever before.
Excellent reporting on NJ's affordable housing requirements — the strongest in the U.S. — by @roshanabraham.bsky.social for @nextcity.org & @shelterforce.bsky.social:
Excellent reporting on NJ's affordable housing requirements — the strongest in the U.S. — by @roshanabraham.bsky.social for @nextcity.org & @shelterforce.bsky.social:
Fifty Years After Mount Laurel, Affordable Housing Is Gaining Ground in New Jersey
A 2024 law codifying the state’s Mount Laurel doctrine is speeding up construction and shifting local politics, even as lawsuits linger.
nextcity.org
August 22, 2025 at 6:42 PM
The best in the nation, thanks largely to the persistance of @fairsharehousing.bsky.social
As famous as the Mt Laurel doctrine is among affordable and fair housing advocates, if anything it is under appreciated recent advocates of zoning reform focused mostly on market rate housing and cities.
As famous as the Mt Laurel doctrine is among affordable and fair housing advocates, if anything it is under appreciated recent advocates of zoning reform focused mostly on market rate housing and cities.
Reposted by Jag Davies 🌹
Thanks to NJ's new law strengthening the Mount Laurel Doctrine, far more towns are creating affordable housing than ever before.
Excellent reporting on NJ's affordable housing requirements — the strongest in the U.S. — by @roshanabraham.bsky.social for @nextcity.org & @shelterforce.bsky.social:
Excellent reporting on NJ's affordable housing requirements — the strongest in the U.S. — by @roshanabraham.bsky.social for @nextcity.org & @shelterforce.bsky.social:
Fifty Years After Mount Laurel, Affordable Housing Is Gaining Ground in New Jersey
A 2024 law codifying the state’s Mount Laurel doctrine is speeding up construction and shifting local politics, even as lawsuits linger.
nextcity.org
August 21, 2025 at 9:34 PM
Thanks to NJ's new law strengthening the Mount Laurel Doctrine, far more towns are creating affordable housing than ever before.
Excellent reporting on NJ's affordable housing requirements — the strongest in the U.S. — by @roshanabraham.bsky.social for @nextcity.org & @shelterforce.bsky.social:
Excellent reporting on NJ's affordable housing requirements — the strongest in the U.S. — by @roshanabraham.bsky.social for @nextcity.org & @shelterforce.bsky.social:
Reposted by Jag Davies 🌹
The truth is simple: affordable housing benefits everyone.
Yet too often, policymakers sabotage NJ's economic resilience by under-funding affordable housing & blocking developments — deciding who belongs, and who doesn’t.
Read Rev. Eric Dobson's op-ed: www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/story/opinio...
Yet too often, policymakers sabotage NJ's economic resilience by under-funding affordable housing & blocking developments — deciding who belongs, and who doesn’t.
Read Rev. Eric Dobson's op-ed: www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/story/opinio...
How the truth about affordable housing in NJ was killed by identity politics | Opinion
Affordable housing isn’t a radical political idea in New Jersey. But telling the truth about it? That just might be.
www.burlingtoncountytimes.com
August 18, 2025 at 6:44 PM
The truth is simple: affordable housing benefits everyone.
Yet too often, policymakers sabotage NJ's economic resilience by under-funding affordable housing & blocking developments — deciding who belongs, and who doesn’t.
Read Rev. Eric Dobson's op-ed: www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/story/opinio...
Yet too often, policymakers sabotage NJ's economic resilience by under-funding affordable housing & blocking developments — deciding who belongs, and who doesn’t.
Read Rev. Eric Dobson's op-ed: www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/story/opinio...
Reposted by Jag Davies 🌹
Tremendous work in Passaic by tenant organizers & @maketheroadnj.bsky.social to protect residents from displacement.
This ordinance caps rent increases at 3% and ends vacancy decontrol, which has let landlords raise rents without limits when units become vacant.
www.northjersey.com/story/news/p...
This ordinance caps rent increases at 3% and ends vacancy decontrol, which has let landlords raise rents without limits when units become vacant.
www.northjersey.com/story/news/p...
www.northjersey.com
August 12, 2025 at 9:28 PM
Tremendous work in Passaic by tenant organizers & @maketheroadnj.bsky.social to protect residents from displacement.
This ordinance caps rent increases at 3% and ends vacancy decontrol, which has let landlords raise rents without limits when units become vacant.
www.northjersey.com/story/news/p...
This ordinance caps rent increases at 3% and ends vacancy decontrol, which has let landlords raise rents without limits when units become vacant.
www.northjersey.com/story/news/p...
Reposted by Jag Davies 🌹
A new report shows a sharp increase in homelessness in NJ.
With federal cuts looming, state & local leaders must urgently prioritize building more affordable homes, strengthening tenant protections, and addressing the root causes of housing instability. www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/07/nj-h...
With federal cuts looming, state & local leaders must urgently prioritize building more affordable homes, strengthening tenant protections, and addressing the root causes of housing instability. www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/07/nj-h...
NJ’s homeless numbers show big increase | NJ Spotlight News
The homeless population in NJ is the largest in more than a decade, according to the latest annual point-in-time count.
www.njspotlightnews.org
August 5, 2025 at 4:43 PM
A new report shows a sharp increase in homelessness in NJ.
With federal cuts looming, state & local leaders must urgently prioritize building more affordable homes, strengthening tenant protections, and addressing the root causes of housing instability. www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/07/nj-h...
With federal cuts looming, state & local leaders must urgently prioritize building more affordable homes, strengthening tenant protections, and addressing the root causes of housing instability. www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/07/nj-h...
Appreciate this discussion. Drives home how zoning reform is *necessary but not sufficient* to fix the housing crisis. Even if Abundance types use it as a Trojan horse for a billionaire-friendly agenda, it's still needed—just insufficient w/out stronger tenant protections & public sector investment.
The Abundance debate & discussion you didn’t know you needed with @isabellamweber.bsky.social, Malcolm Harris, @pewilliams.bsky.social. The book; the discourse; the underlying economic and political questions; the actual but mystified capitalist social relations. www.thedigradio.com/podcast/actu...
Actual Abundance w/ Isabella Weber, Malcolm Harris, Paul Williams
Featuring Isabella Weber, Malcolm Harris, and Paul Williams on Abundance. A debate and discussion of: the book; the discourse; the underlying economic and political questions of how we make the afford...
www.thedigradio.com
July 27, 2025 at 8:52 PM
Appreciate this discussion. Drives home how zoning reform is *necessary but not sufficient* to fix the housing crisis. Even if Abundance types use it as a Trojan horse for a billionaire-friendly agenda, it's still needed—just insufficient w/out stronger tenant protections & public sector investment.
Reposted by Jag Davies 🌹
There might be an abundance of abundance discussions but this one is really special. It brings together expertise on the housing policy with the bigger question of a post-neoliberal agenda. Listen in!
The Abundance debate & discussion you didn’t know you needed with @isabellamweber.bsky.social, Malcolm Harris, @pewilliams.bsky.social. The book; the discourse; the underlying economic and political questions; the actual but mystified capitalist social relations. www.thedigradio.com/podcast/actu...
Actual Abundance w/ Isabella Weber, Malcolm Harris, Paul Williams
Featuring Isabella Weber, Malcolm Harris, and Paul Williams on Abundance. A debate and discussion of: the book; the discourse; the underlying economic and political questions of how we make the afford...
www.thedigradio.com
July 22, 2025 at 9:31 PM
There might be an abundance of abundance discussions but this one is really special. It brings together expertise on the housing policy with the bigger question of a post-neoliberal agenda. Listen in!
Reposted by Jag Davies 🌹
Since we are in new round (it never ends) of what Dems ought to do while fascists power grab, a view from voters in our latest Research Collaborative/Data for Progress national survey (N=1199, July 18-20)
TLDR: Dems and independents want Dem candidate who fights for immigrant rights.
TLDR: Dems and independents want Dem candidate who fights for immigrant rights.
July 23, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Since we are in new round (it never ends) of what Dems ought to do while fascists power grab, a view from voters in our latest Research Collaborative/Data for Progress national survey (N=1199, July 18-20)
TLDR: Dems and independents want Dem candidate who fights for immigrant rights.
TLDR: Dems and independents want Dem candidate who fights for immigrant rights.
Reposted by Jag Davies 🌹
To understand how @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social won the mayoral primary by a full 12 points last month, it helps to understand how tenants like Ferdousi Begum and Parveg Hasan decided to go on the offensive against real estate.
My first for @nybooks.com, learned tons! www.nybooks.com/online/2025/...
My first for @nybooks.com, learned tons! www.nybooks.com/online/2025/...
How New York’s Tenants Won | Tara Raghuveer
The night before the New York City municipal primary, the air was sticky with heat and Ferdousi Begum was too tense to sleep. For the past six months,
www.nybooks.com
July 22, 2025 at 4:11 PM
To understand how @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social won the mayoral primary by a full 12 points last month, it helps to understand how tenants like Ferdousi Begum and Parveg Hasan decided to go on the offensive against real estate.
My first for @nybooks.com, learned tons! www.nybooks.com/online/2025/...
My first for @nybooks.com, learned tons! www.nybooks.com/online/2025/...
Reposted by Jag Davies 🌹
Appreciate @inquest.bsky.social publishing this excerpt from my book Carceral Apartheid: How Lies and White Supremacists Run Our Prisons. @uncpress.bsky.social
"We continually witness the power of white solidarity across class, law enforcement, and personal boundaries—even if the actors are complete strangers—in support of the collective decimation of Black people." @curlyprofessor.bsky.social w/ @uncpress.bsky.social inquest.org/united-i...
United in Hate - Brittany Friedman - Inquest
White civilians often spontaneously cooperate in acts of racial hatred. It’s a web of racist solidarity that Black people know all too well.
inquest.org
July 16, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Appreciate @inquest.bsky.social publishing this excerpt from my book Carceral Apartheid: How Lies and White Supremacists Run Our Prisons. @uncpress.bsky.social
Reposted by Jag Davies 🌹
New Jersey's senseless cuts to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund are penny-wise but pound-foolish. This is often the only source of funding for smaller, shovel-ready developments.
We're calling on Gov. Murphy & legislative leaders to restore the full funding. newjerseymonitor.com/2025/07/03/a...
We're calling on Gov. Murphy & legislative leaders to restore the full funding. newjerseymonitor.com/2025/07/03/a...
Advocates say New Jersey budget falls short of affordable housing needs • New Jersey Monitor
Advocates are sounding the alarm over the new state budget they say undercuts funding for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund.
newjerseymonitor.com
July 17, 2025 at 4:30 PM
New Jersey's senseless cuts to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund are penny-wise but pound-foolish. This is often the only source of funding for smaller, shovel-ready developments.
We're calling on Gov. Murphy & legislative leaders to restore the full funding. newjerseymonitor.com/2025/07/03/a...
We're calling on Gov. Murphy & legislative leaders to restore the full funding. newjerseymonitor.com/2025/07/03/a...
Reposted by Jag Davies 🌹
The data is clear: fines and fees don’t deliver justice — they impose instability. ⛔
For decades, our state & local governments have relied on #FinesAndFees to fill budget gaps – extracting money from people drawn into our criminal, juvenile, traffic, and municipal courts. 🧵
For decades, our state & local governments have relied on #FinesAndFees to fill budget gaps – extracting money from people drawn into our criminal, juvenile, traffic, and municipal courts. 🧵
July 16, 2025 at 4:49 PM
The data is clear: fines and fees don’t deliver justice — they impose instability. ⛔
For decades, our state & local governments have relied on #FinesAndFees to fill budget gaps – extracting money from people drawn into our criminal, juvenile, traffic, and municipal courts. 🧵
For decades, our state & local governments have relied on #FinesAndFees to fill budget gaps – extracting money from people drawn into our criminal, juvenile, traffic, and municipal courts. 🧵