NJPP’s annual policy conference, Progress 2019: New Jersey on the National Stage, is just days away! Below are five reasons why this is an event you don’t want to miss:
1) It’s Brandon McKoy’s First Conference as President of NJPP
It may be hard to believe, but it’s only been a little more than two months since Brandon McKoy was named President of NJPP. That’s because, coming off the heels of a successful campaign for a $15 minimum wage, Brandon has hit the ground running in his new role and emerged as a leading voice for tax fairness and corporate subsidy reform. Brandon will be giving the introductory remarks at Progress 2019 — his first as President of NJPP — and will moderate panels on the budget and the state of the news media.
2) There’s No Better Place to Examine the Crisis and Opportunity for NJ’s Economic Development Policy
New Jersey’s Economic Development Authority — and the $11 billion it awarded in corporate subsidies — is in the news seemingly every day, and for good reason. A scathing audit, whistleblowers, task force hearings, and investigative reporting have uncovered fraud, abuse, and corruption in the state’s economic incentive programs. New Jersey Public Radio and WNYC’s Nancy Solomon will moderate a panel on ways to revamp the state’s approach to economic development.
3) You’ll Hear the Stories Behind the Numbers from Keynote Speaker Kathryn Edin
Kathryn Edin is one of the nation’s leading poverty researchers and will provide the keynote address on living on almost nothing in New Jersey. Edin, author of $2.00 a Dayand Professor of Sociology and Public Affairs at Princeton University, grounds her qualitative research in people’s stories and lived experiences through direct, in-depth interviews with low-paid workers and their children. As Brandon likes to say, math is real — and Kathryn Edin will show us that behind every fact and figure is a real person experiencing the effects of public policy decisions.
4) You Will Learn (Almost) Everything You Need to Know About New Jersey’s Budget
Budgets are moral documents that outline the priorities of the state. They can help address rising inequality, or make it worse. They can prioritize the many, or a select few. At Progress 2019, Treasurer Muoio and Health Commissioner Dr. Elnahal will headline a panel on creating a state budget that invests in all New Jerseyans, and Rutgers Professor (and NJPP Trustee) Henry Coleman will moderate a discussion on advancing racial equity with state tax policy.
5) And Last, But Certainly Not Least: Community!
You have probably cited their reports, read their commentary in the news, and clicked through their action alerts to email your legislators — but now is your chance to meet your favorite policy leaders face-to-face and hear from them directly. Researchers, advocates, lawmakers, reporters, and Governor Murphy will all be joining NJPP at Progress 2019: New Jersey on the National Stage. Will you?
It’s not too late to reserve your spot at Progress 2019! Click here to purchase your tickets now.
See you Friday!
