New Jersey Policy Perspective

@njpolicy.bsky.social

2061 Followers 216 Following

New Jersey Policy Perspective (NJPP) is a nonpartisan think tank that drives policy change to advance economic, social, and racial justice.

Bar graph titled: Benefits of New Jersey's ABC Deduction Disproportionately Go to the Highest-Income Filers. Illustrating how $68.5 million goes to filers making $2.5 million or more.

TANF Grants No Longer Cover the Cost of Basic Necessities. Graphic illustration of a receipt comparing costs of groceries and electricity between 1998 and 2026; and how much TANF grant amount covers.

Black text on a yellow background with a black and white megaphone in the lower lefthand corner.

"Victory!

After five years of advocacy, New Jersey has taken action to strengthen data privacy, protect due process, and ensure all New Jerseyans can safely access essential services without fear of surveillance.

As federal immigration enforcement ramps up across the country, New Jersey has taken a critical step to protect all residents — especially our immigrant neighbors."

Four maps of New Jersey illustrating infrastructure along freight lines, including hospitals, airports, schools, and long-term care facilities. Title: Critical Infrastructure is at Risk in the Event of a Hazmat Rail Incident.

Total Public Employees Have Declined 15 Percent Below Historical Levels: Line graph illustrating the decline in government employees from 1990 to 2024.

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.

A photo with a green background showing NJPP President Nicole Rodriguez and her recognition as an ROI 2025 People of Color Influencer.

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.

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.

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

"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.

“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

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

NJPP's Peter Chen delivers his testimony before the Assembly Budget Committee wearing a gray suit and black glasses.

Animated gif of a cell phone that says "Tell Congress: Stop massive cuts to our health care. Call now: 866-426-2631

Black and white photo of NJPP President Nicole Rodriguez on a white background with the text: "Powerful Women of New Jersey, Nicole Rodriguez, NJPP"

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.

As a result of understaffing, workers are unable to provide promised benefits to residents efficiently.

Graph illustrating responses to the consequences of understaffing.

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.

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.

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"

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.