Marleina Ubel

Marleina Ubel, Senior Policy Analyst, researches the criminal legal system with a focus on alternatives to policing that center restorative justice. Previously, Marleina was NJPP’s 2020-2021 Kathleen Crotty Fellow where she analyzed the state budget process and researched public spending on state and local law enforcement. Marleina began her undergraduate work at Valencia College and earned a transfer scholarship to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she earned a B.A. in Philosophy. As a PIKSI fellow, she spent a summer at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology challenging demographic disparities in institutions of higher learning. In 2021, she earned her M.S.W. in Management and Policy at Rutgers University and served as an Eagleton Fellow in the New Jersey Assembly Majority Office. Marleina lives in Lambertville with her husband and daughter.

Breaking Down Governor Murphy’s FY 2023 Budget Proposal

March 17, 2022 • Tax and Budget
State lawmakers have a big opportunity to make New Jersey affordable for all thanks to stronger than expected tax collections.

Revenue from Cannabis Legalization Should Go Toward Strengthening Communities Harmed by the Drug War

March 2, 2022 • Economic Justice, Tax and Budget
Testimony from Policy Analyst Marleina Ubel recommending how revenue from the cannabis Social Equity Excise Fee should be spent.

Police in New Jersey Earn More Than Twice as Much as Social Service Workers

February 9, 2022 • Public Safety
To truly promote public safety, New Jersey must reassess how investments are made, recognizing that public safety depends on more than police officers.

State of the State 2022: Rapid Reaction

January 13, 2022 • COVID-19, General
Live from the NJPP Zoom room, Sheila, Peter, Brittany, Marleina, Jon, and Lou react to Governor Murphy's State of the State address (with gifs!).

Loosening Police Training Requirements is Not Only Tone Deaf, But Dangerous

December 16, 2021 • Public Safety
To end unnecessary use of force by police and create safer communities, legislators should pass bills that increase transparency, oversight, and accountability in policing.

New Jersey Can Use American Rescue Plan Funds to Invest in Non-Police Approaches to Public Safety

November 19, 2021 • Economic Justice, Public Safety
We can create safer communities, lower police violence, and reduce arrests by investing ARP funds in community-based public safety.

Harm Reduction Programs Provide Lifesaving, Critical Care to New Jersey Residents

November 15, 2021 • Health
Testimony by Policy Analyst Marleina Ubel in support of expanding harm reduction programs to provide support services to injection drug users

It’s Time to Decriminalize Syringes and Expunge Past Records

November 15, 2021 • Economic Justice, Health
Testimony by Policy Analyst Marleina Ubel in support of decriminalization of syringes and expungement of past records.

To Protect and Serve: Investing in Public Safety Beyond Policing

October 13, 2021 • Economic Justice, Tax and Budget
Police spending in New Jersey outpaces investments in Health and Human Services.

Shining a Light on New Jersey’s FY 2022 Budget

July 1, 2021 • Tax and Budget
New Jersey's latest budget meets the immediate needs of the pandemic recovery, pays off debt, and invests in key public assets.