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njpolicy.bsky.social
New Jersey Policy Perspective
@njpolicy.bsky.social
1.9K followers 190 following 190 posts
New Jersey Policy Perspective (NJPP) is a nonpartisan think tank that drives policy change to advance economic, social, and racial justice.
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njpolicy.bsky.social
The report finds that the state now employs 15 percent fewer public servants per resident than historical levels across all levels of government, gutting the capacity of government to respond effectively to residents’ needs.

Read more:
www.njpp.org/publications...
Total Public Employees Have Declined 15 Percent Below Historical Levels: Line graph illustrating the decline in government employees from 1990 to 2024.
November 10, 2025 at 4:02 PM
njpolicy.bsky.social
Health care is under attack and unaffordable for many. Programs like the 988 hotline provide vital support in times of crisis, particularly for LGBTQIA+ youth. Now's the time for lawmakers to protect these critical services so New Jerseyans can get the mental health care they need when they need it.
Black text on a yellow background that says 1,389,000 people in New Jersey have a mental health condition. But mental health care supports and services are under attack and unaffordable for many. Source: NAMI New Jersey, part of NAMI, National Alliance on Mental Illness. Black text on a yellow background with a telephone that says Services like the 988 hotline are lifesaving. It's critical that lawmakers protect health care coverage and support mental health services. NJPP
October 10, 2025 at 4:34 PM
njpolicy.bsky.social
🎉 Congratulations to NJPP President Nicole Rodriguez for being named to ROI's 2025 People of Color Influencer List!

Nicole's leadership in advancing social justice through evidence-based policy research makes New Jersey stronger for everyone.

www.roi-nj.com/2025/07/28/r...
A photo with a green background showing NJPP President Nicole Rodriguez and her recognition as an ROI 2025 People of Color Influencer.
September 12, 2025 at 6:19 PM
njpolicy.bsky.social
The report outlines two pathways to reducing poverty in the state: expanding existing tax credits and benefit programs, or creating a new $5,000 annual child allowance for Medicaid-eligible families.

Both programs would advance racial equity.

Read more: www.njpp.org/publications...
Table comparing two cash assistance program proposals: One building on existing programs by doubling programs like the Child Tax Credit, and the other creating a new program that would provide $5,000 annually to families with Medicaid-eligible children.
September 10, 2025 at 3:10 PM
njpolicy.bsky.social
We're growing our impact!

Excited to announce Dr. Brittany Holom-Trundy's promotion to Research Director & the addition of Award-winning journalist Kelli Parker as Communications Director!

Together, we're advancing evidence-based policy for economic & racial justice.
www.njpp.org/media/press-...
Growing our impact We're excited to announce Dr. Brittany Holom-Trundy's promotion to Research Director and the addition of award-winning journalist Kelli Parker as Communications Director! Together, we're advancing evidence-based policy for economic and racial justice in New Jersey.
July 23, 2025 at 2:49 PM
njpolicy.bsky.social
New Jersey's FY 2026 budget could have been a moment of courage.

Instead, the budget process went on autopilot, cutting back revenue increases and dipping deeper into state cash reserves, while failing to protect residents from federal cuts.

Read NJPP’s breakdown: www.njpp.org/publications...
July 8, 2025 at 9:40 PM
njpolicy.bsky.social
The House's cruel budget eliminates vital programs for people around the country and blows an even bigger hole in the state’s budget that lawmakers failed to adequately prepare for.

“This is not just about money — it’s about consequences," said @nicolenjpp.bsky.social. www.njpp.org/media/statem...
July 3, 2025 at 8:38 PM
njpolicy.bsky.social
Big congrats to NJPP's ENTIRE research team and President @nicolenjpp.bsky.social on being named to the Insider 100 Policymakers Power List!

www.insidernj.com/insider-nj-p...
Insider NJ 100 Policymakers Power List Nicole Rodriguez, President Alex Ambrose, Policy Analyst? Peter Chen, Senior Policy Analyst Brittany Holom-Trundy, Senior Policy Analyst Marleina Ubel, Senior Policy Analyst
June 24, 2025 at 6:11 PM
njpolicy.bsky.social
Analysis from @itep.org shows that capping income at $150,000 and reducing the maximum benefit amount to $5,000 can save the state hundreds of millions while preserving the program for low- and middle-income seniors.

Read more: www.njpp.org/publications...
"Changes to Stay NJ Can Lower State Costs." Table illustrating cost differences for Stay NJ program at $1.115 billion with the current program, vs. $594 million with proposed changes.
June 17, 2025 at 2:26 PM
njpolicy.bsky.social
NJPP is profoundly alarmed over Mayor Ras Baraka’s arrest. This incident underscores longstanding concerns about the privatization of immigration enforcement and the dangerous lack of accountability that comes with it.

Read the full statement:
www.njpp.org/media/statem...
“NJPP calls for a full, independent investigation into Mayor Baraka’s arrest and the legal status of Delaney Hall’s operations. No facility should be allowed to operate without full transparency, oversight, and compliance with public safety and health standards. We also urge federal lawmakers to respect New Jersey’s existing ban on private immigration detention facilities. “As a nonpartisan, research-driven organization, NJPP stands firmly for humane, just, and transparent immigration policies that uphold the dignity and rights of all New Jersey residents.” Nicole Rodriguez, President
May 9, 2025 at 10:07 PM
njpolicy.bsky.social
If you've wondered why waiters and bartenders get paid subminimum wages, it's part of America's history of racism.

Eliminating the tipped minimum wage will help to alleviate poverty, reduce racial and gender pay disparities, and reduce wage violations in industries prone to exploitation.
After the Civil War, many Black freed people who were previously enslaved found work as service workers and were only paid with small tips. This continued when the first minimum wages were established, and restaurant and hospitality industries pushed very hard to not cover domestic or tip workers at all. This has led to a two-tiered employment system where certain workers — disproportionately women and people of color — receive a sub-minimum wage.” Peter Chen, Senior Policy Analyst
April 11, 2025 at 4:40 PM
njpolicy.bsky.social
The governor's budget proposal takes crucial steps to close the deficit.

With flat funding or cuts to programs for working families, the legislature must help raise revenue from wealthy individuals and big corporations.

Read @ptrchn1.bsky.social's testimony: www.njpp.org/publications...
NJPP's Peter Chen delivers his testimony before the Assembly Budget Committee wearing a gray suit and black glasses.
March 19, 2025 at 3:49 PM
njpolicy.bsky.social
Congress can't cut $2.3 trillion from Medicaid without hurting children, seniors in long-term care, people with disabilities, and people struggling to make ends meet — just to fund tax breaks for billionaires.

Call 866-426-2631 now. Tell Congress: Hands off our health care!
Animated gif of a cell phone that says "Tell Congress: Stop massive cuts to our health care. Call now: 866-426-2631
February 6, 2025 at 5:23 PM
njpolicy.bsky.social
Congrats to NJPP President Nicole Rodriguez on being named to Assemblywoman Shavonda Sumter's Annual Women’s Power List with Insider NJ!

Read the full list: www.insidernj.com/sumter-women...
Black and white photo of NJPP President Nicole Rodriguez on a white background with the text: "Powerful Women of New Jersey, Nicole Rodriguez, NJPP"
January 28, 2025 at 8:43 PM
njpolicy.bsky.social
Thank you, @govmurphy.bsky.social for taking steps to eliminate preventable traffic deaths by establishing the Target Zero Commission!

"Every traffic death is preventable — and this new law brings us one step closer to making that a reality,” said NJPP Policy Analyst Alex Ambrose.
Photo of Governor Phil Murphy signing the bill to establish the Target Zero Commission, surrounded by advocates and impacted families. Quote under photo: "Every traffic death is preventable — and this new law brings us one step closer to making that a reality." - Alex Ambrose, Policy Analyst, NJPP.
January 13, 2025 at 8:45 PM
njpolicy.bsky.social
Nearly three-quarters of survey responses in a 2024 CWA member survey indicated that the understaffing at county social service agencies means that residents in need do not get benefits in a timely manner, if at all.

Read more: www.njpp.org/publications...
As a result of understaffing, workers are unable to provide promised benefits to residents efficiently. Graph illustrating responses to the consequences of understaffing.
November 25, 2024 at 9:50 PM
njpolicy.bsky.social
Thanks to timely analysis by @itep.bsky.social, the report shows how common-sense reforms can raise the funding the state needs to meet its budget obligations while advancing tax fairness by asking the wealthy to pay more.

Read more:
www.njpp.org/publications...
Bar graph illustrating the income difference of proposed tax changes by income group with the lowest 20% seeing -1.17% difference and the top 1% seeing 0.91% difference. Graph title: Lower-Income Groups Would See Benefits While Only Highest 1% Would See Increases.
November 13, 2024 at 4:24 PM
njpolicy.bsky.social
Targeted taxation on the top 1% of individuals, homes, and corporations, would raise nearly $4 billion in revenue for critical programs such as schools, public transit, and health care, while giving money back to working-class residents.

Read more:
www.njpp.org/publications...
Table illustrating policy proposals and their revenue projections. Title: Net Effect of Tax Policy Changes Would Result in Nearly $4 Billion in New Revenue Annually. Grand Total of all policies would be $3.8 to $3.9 billion.
November 13, 2024 at 4:24 PM
njpolicy.bsky.social
Could this be the year that NJ Transit finally gets a dedicated source of state funding?

Let’s talk about it — and more — at happy hour, featuring special guest Asw. Shama Haider!

Register now and join us May 16 in Trenton: www.njpp.org/event/budget...
Photo of a draught beer against a black background with Budget& Brews in white text. Photo of Asw. Shama Haider with "Special Guest Asw. Shama Haider, Deputy Majority Leader, NJ General Assembly"
April 23, 2024 at 2:33 PM
njpolicy.bsky.social
NJPP Policy Director Awinna Martinez testified yesterday in support of expanding New Jersey's pretrial services.

"Our communities are better served by policymakers who focus on strengthening our pretrial system."

Read the full testimony: www.njpp.org/publications...
March 8, 2024 at 5:04 PM
njpolicy.bsky.social
Today, we're joining members of the For the Many NJ coalition to tell lawmakers: Do not cut a $1 billion check to the world’s most profitable businesses!

As revenue collections come in lower than expected, lawmakers should extend the Corporate Business Tax surcharge. #ForTheManyNJ
November 30, 2023 at 4:52 PM
njpolicy.bsky.social
Duck and cover! It's Giving Tuesday and while our events are open to our full flock this year, you can help power us through lame duck and beyond!

Join us 12/13 for What the Duck?! as we break down policies we expect to move forward in the coming weeks.

www.njpp.org/event/what-t...
Photo of a rubber duck on a white background with the NJPP logo and the following text: "What the Duck?! December 13, 2023 12:00 PM | Zoom"
November 28, 2023 at 8:56 PM
njpolicy.bsky.social
NJ Transit needs secure funding to improve service, reduce emissions, and bring equity to the transit system.

Join NJPP and our partners TODAY at Walter Rand Transportation Center, 11-2 pm as we advocate for a better future. #InvestInNJT
November 14, 2023 at 2:40 PM
njpolicy.bsky.social
Today, NJPP is joining advocates and community leaders to hand-deliver our Lame Duck Agenda to legislators across the state.

In the next three months, lawmakers must prioritize passing essential racial and social justice legislation that moves our state forward.
NJ Lawmakers: It's time to get to work! As lawmakers return to Trenton, we call on you to get back to work passing bills that protect our democracy and that prioritize racial and social justice. The People's Lame Duck Agenda. We stand #United4Justice.
November 8, 2023 at 4:44 PM
njpolicy.bsky.social
We’re excited to announce our keynote speaker: Analilia Mejia, Co-Executive Director of the Center for Popular Democracy!

Analilia is a seasoned political strategist and Afro-Latina grassroots organizer focused on helping Black and Latinx working families.

www.njpp.org/event/progre...
October 5, 2023 at 7:57 PM