Category: Press Release

Nicole Rodriguez Named President of New Jersey Policy Perspective

Posted on by NJPP Staff

The Board of Trustees of New Jersey Policy Perspective (NJPP), a Trenton-based think tank that drives policy change to advance economic, social, and racial justice, announced today that Nicole Rodriguez will be the organization’s next President. Rodriguez, now NJPP’s Research Director, has guided the think tank’s policy agenda and supervised its research staff since 2019. She will succeed Brandon McKoy, who joined the leadership team of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities last fall.

“This is an exciting time for NJPP and the broader progressive movement,” said Marcia Marley, NJPP Board Chair and head of the Board’s Search Committee. “Nicole lives and breathes the values that have guided NJPP’s mission since our founding 25 years ago. No other candidate matched her knowledge, commitment, and dedication to the work NJPP does.”

Since joining NJPP as Research Director, Rodriguez has led the think tank’s analysts to policy wins that: made the state’s tax code fairer through the “millionaires’ tax”; opened a pathway for all residents to obtain drivers’ and professional licenses regardless of immigration status; and established a state fund to provide relief for workers and families who had been excluded from other forms of pandemic assistance.

“I’m honored to take on the role of President of NJPP, an organization with a legacy of not only getting things done but doing so in a way that puts people first in the policy-making process,” said incoming NJPP President Nicole Rodriguez. “With democratic institutions and basic freedoms under attack in our nation’s halls of power, the need for community-driven policy has never been greater. We have a lot of work to do in building a state and economy that works for everyone, and I know that with this team we can get it done.”

A Boston native, Rodriguez quickly rose through the ranks at the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center, starting as a Center on Budget and Policy Priorities fellow — the same program that brought Brandon McKoy to NJPP. At MassBudget, Rodriguez established herself as a state and nationally recognized researcher and policy advocate on issues related to workers’ rights and economic security. Her research was critical to successful campaigns to raise Massachusetts’ minimum wage to $15 an hour and enact paid family and sick leave. Immediately before joining NJPP, Rodriguez was a Senior Researcher at Community Labor United.

“Like her predecessor Brandon McKoy, Nicole came to the State Priorities Partnership through CBPP’s State Policy Fellowship, which aims to bring more diverse voices to state policy debates,” said Sharon Parrott, President of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. “Her knowledge and passion for justice make her an excellent choice to lead NJPP.”

Rodriguez holds a Master of Public Policy from the Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Villanova University. Her personal experience as a first-generation American raised by a single mother from Cuba drives her passion for promoting policies that support immigrants and working families.

Rodriguez will start as President of NJPP on June 1, 2022.

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Essential Workers, Advocates, and Policy Experts Urge Lawmakers to Spend American Rescue Plan Funds on Direct Relief for Working Families

Posted on by NJPP Staff

With more than $3 billion remaining in federal pandemic assistance — and no hearings planned on how to spend these funds — advocates and policy experts held a virtual “People’s Hearing” for members of the public to weigh in on how the federal relief should be used.

“Lawmakers may have said they’re finished with budget hearings after this week, but today’s People’s Hearing sends a clear message: New Jerseyans aren’t finished speaking up for what our communities deserve,” said Amy Torres, moderator of the virtual hearing and Executive Director of the New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice.

The virtual hearing, organized by the For The Many NJ coalition, included testimony from essential workers, community leaders, advocates, and policy experts in support of using the federal funds to provide direct relief and support to families struggling to keep up with everyday costs.

“To advance racial equity and help the people still getting back on their feet from the pandemic, New Jersey should spend its flexible federal recovery funds on their intended purpose: direct relief,” said Peter Chen, Senior Policy Analyst at New Jersey Policy Perspective (NJPP). “Direct relief is itself a transformational investment. Helping people avoid poverty, homelessness, and deprivation reduces pain right now but also builds resiliency for the future.”

Signed into law in March 2021, the American Rescue Plan (ARP) provided billions of dollars in flexible funding for states and local governments to begin reversing the harms done by the pandemic and promote an equitable economic recovery. New Jersey state government received $6.2 billion in flexible aid, more than $3 billion of which is still available.

“New Jersey should not squander this opportunity. As state policymakers consider how to use more than $3 billion in remaining Fiscal Recovery Funds, they should work with communities to identify the best ways to use these funds,” said Ed Lazere, Senior Fellow in State Fiscal Policy, The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. “The economic recovery remains uneven and incomplete, with many still struggling with incomes that are not enough to pay rent or afford food.”

Residents from across the state joined the hearing to share their stories and encourage lawmakers to provide more relief to families struggling to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table.

“The impact of the pandemic is not over for many who were already struggling in our state,” said Wandalynn Miftahi, a member of the Anti-Poverty Networks Garden State Leaders program who is unable to afford housing on her own. “Mature people who are viable parts of their communities and striving to assist future generations look forward to a more positive, supportive community to live in. With high and rising housing costs, New Jersey must devote more to help people of color access and maintain safe, affordable homes. We must remember everything starts at home.”

The hearing served as a reminder that the pandemic is not over, with many families still living in poverty: 1 in 10 families in New Jersey are currently having trouble finding enough to eat, a third of renters are worried they’ll be evicted in the next two months.

“Between COVID and the current economy, the low- and moderate-income families continue to struggle to pay for basic living expenses,” said Susan Biegen, another member of the Garden State Leaders program. “The Emergency Rental Assistance Program has not been able to keep up with the need with many families being told there is no funding left. American Rescue Plan funds would best be used by providing back rent, utilities, and food assistance so families won’t have to worry about eviction and hunger.”

Some lawmakers have suggested using federal assistance to provide tax cuts to profitable businesses despite a clear need to make the state more affordable for low- and moderate-income families.

“To make New Jersey more affordable for our low- and moderate-income families we must prioritize state revenues and American Rescue Plan funds to increase supports for families in deep poverty, allocate sufficient funds to keep people in their homes, expand health coverage to all kids and uninsured residents, and establish a state child and earned income tax credit,” said Maura Collinsgru, Director of Policy and Advocacy, New Jersey Citizen Action. “These programs will help ensure residents most impacted by the pandemic and rising inflation can not only survive, but thrive.”

Immigrant community members joined the virtual hearing to urge lawmakers to provide further relief to residents excluded from most forms of federal and state assistance — and for the state to invest in language access so all residents can apply for programs and services they already qualify for.

“Two years into the pandemic, there still are more than a half million people left behind from all forms of relief,” said Aida Mucha, Member Leader with Make the Road New Jersey. “It’s a disgrace that half of New Jersey’s federal ARP fiscal recovery funds are still sitting unused and unallocated when families like mine are struggling to pay bills. I worked throughout the pandemic to deliver food to families in quarantine, but I was excluded from aid like so many immigrant essential workers. I urge the state to take action now to provide direct relief to excluded workers.”

“Nearly one in two New Jerseyans is a person of color and almost a quarter of us are foreign born,” said Laura Bustamante, Policy & Campaign Manager, New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice. “New Jerseyans speak over 155 languages, one in four households speaks a non-English language at home. With the recent increase in access to status neutral services and programs, newly eligible New Jerseyans are facing linguistic barriers, leaving these landmark initiatives inaccessible. Beyond that racial and ethnic categories currently used in agencies that capture demographic information are overly generalized, rendering distinct populations invisible. If the State is looking to make wise use of the dollars it invests in public programs, language access and data disaggregation will be necessary tools. ”

The pandemic and resulting economic fallout has disproportionately harmed Black and Latinx/Hispanic communities. Policy experts and advocates testified at the hearing in support of targeting aid to these communities to begin reversing racial inequities.

“Before New Jersey can become stronger, fairer and a more affordable state, there must be a commitment to equity and justice,” said Racquel Romans-Henry, Director of Policy at Salvation and Social Justice. “That commitment begins with but is not limited to significant investments in the development of violence interruption, harm reduction and restorative justice hubs; investments in neighborhood maternal health centers; community reinvestment of cannabis revenue; and funding the Office of Legislative Services so that they may prepare racial impact statements for policy changes that affect pretrial detention, sentencing and parole as required by S677 passed in 2018.”

“For the many students in our school who have seen pre-pandemic inequities impact their education at an even greater level, it is important that the state act now and accelerated addressing these challenges,” said Kaleena Berryman, convener of Our Children/Our Schools. “Funds should be allocated for student and educator mental health, building health and safety upgrades, and a concentrated approach to ensure students with disabilities and English language learners receive the extra support needed due to months of lost time. To make this happen, the state must also concentrate of fully staffing the Department of Education.”

“The impacts of the pandemic are still being felt by our schoolchildren and their teachers, especially in lower-income communities,” said Greg Stankiewicz, Statewide Coordinator, NJ Community Schools Coalition. “We urge the Governor and Legislature to allocate $10 million in American Rescue Plan funds to support expanding community school approaches to more low-income public schools, helping nonprofits and universities work together with school districts to provide additional needed services to students and families.”

“As Dickens wrote, we are living in the best of times and the worst of times for our state budget,” said Doug O’Malley, Director, Environment New Jersey. “We have a historically flush budget with an ample surplus as well as an additional $3 billion in reserve through the American Rescue Plan. Unfortunately, we still see ongoing raids to NJ Transit’s capital budget and the state Clean Energy Fund and flat funding to state agencies, as well as lead service lines and water infrastructure that need to be replaced. This is the moment to invest in our environment, clean energy and public health and make historic investments — and give the public a chance to weigh in on this opportunity.”

“New Jersey should not squander this opportunity. As state policymakers consider how to use more than $3 billion in remaining Fiscal Recovery Funds, they should work with communities to identify the best ways to use these funds,” added Ed Lazere of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. “The economic recovery remains uneven and incomplete, with many still struggling with incomes that are not enough to pay rent or afford food.”

Watch a recording of the virtual hearing here.

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Hera Mir Joins the New Jersey Policy Perspective Communications Team

Posted on by NJPP Staff

New Jersey Policy Perspective (NJPP) announced today that Hera Mir has joined the staff as Movement Communications Strategist. In this role, Hera will work closely with partners from across the state to develop a people-centered communications strategy for the think-tank’s racial justice policy priorities.

“We’re pleased to have Hera join the NJPP communications team to help sharpen our focus on policies that will advance racial justice and build power with communities of color,” said Jon Shure, Interim President of NJPP. “The pandemic exposed and worsened racial inequity in New Jersey and heightened existing challenges when it comes to reaching communities that are excluded from the state’s systems of care, safety, education, and more. Hera’s expertise in amplifying the voices of communities of color, and her role in major immigrant justice policy wins in New Jersey, make her the right fit for carrying out our vision.”

Hera brings years of experience in communications, immigrants’ rights policy advocacy, and direct services in New Jersey. They are a skilled people-centered storyteller who has worked across the media landscape to uplift stories of immigrant workers and their families on major immigrants’ rights campaigns.

“I look forward to carrying across the vision of a people-first communications strategy, a needed communications approach in New Jersey,” said Hera Mir, Movement Communications Strategist at NJPP. “Racial inequities are embedded in all areas of our society, and we need proactive, people-centered policies to achieve racial justice. Yet, too often, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color are on the sidelines of policy making that directly impacts our lives. I’m humbled to help New Jerseyans across the state make their power felt in our local communities and in Trenton.”

Before joining NJPP, Hera worked for the New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice, where they led on press relations, digital organizing, and digital media strategy, as well as supporting communications of the Alliance’s grassroots members. Specifically, Hera worked on Alliance communications for the Let’s Drive NJ campaign and in support of the Immigrant Trust Directive, the anti-detention bill to ban all new Immigrant and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention contracts in New Jersey, and more.

Celebrating its 25th anniversary, NJPP is a “think and do” tank, driving policy change to advance economic, social, and racial justice through evidence-based independent research, analysis, and advocacy.

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Essential Workers and Advocates Call for State Budget That Makes New Jersey Affordable for All

Posted on by NJPP Staff

As state lawmakers say they want to make New Jersey more affordable this legislative session, essential workers and advocates from For The Many NJ gathered outside the State House in Trenton to ask: “Affordable for who?”

All New Jersey residents should have safe, stable housing, nourishing meals, and the ability to meet the basic needs of themselves and their families and build a future. Yet, far too often, policy proposals that emphasize “affordability” would actually enrich the already wealthy and big businesses, without making New Jersey truly affordable for all.

“New Jersey should be a state that’s affordable for working families and the everyday heroes who carried us through the pandemic: health care workers, child care workers, educators, food service and grocery workers,” said Peter Chen, Senior Policy Analyst at New Jersey Policy Perspective (NJPP) and emcee of the event. “We can’t afford to hand out more tax breaks to yacht and mansion owners while so many low-paid and moderate-income working families struggle to make ends meet. There needs to be a recognition that our “affordability crisis” is a crisis for workers who aren’t paid enough or aren’t given enough hours to cover everyday costs.”

New Jersey is one of the wealthiest states in the nation, but many residents struggle to keep a roof over their heads, put food on the table, and meet the basic needs of themselves and their families. One in ten residents live below the federal poverty level, and 76 percent of New Jersey’s low-income households have trouble paying rent, utilities, or other housing costs.

“We have worked hard throughout the pandemic. At the airport, we have kept travelers safe, and as we begin the recovery process, we need to know that we will be protected,” said April Fitch, a security officer at Newark Liberty Airport. “It is important to breach the gaps in education, housing, and – most importantly – working conditions. The state budget needs to be planned with all New Jerseyans in mind. We need to work together to guarantee that we are all thriving. That means providing relief to our underserved communities, protective measures to all essential workers, and establishing hazard pay for all frontline workers so that we may have a shot at financially recovering from this pandemic.”

Speaking outside the State House, essential workers made clear that every dollar lost to broad-based tax cuts would be one dollar less to make the public investments needed for everyone to thrive. Policies that leave out those hurting the most and for whom high costs and prices take the biggest chunk out of their earnings do not promote affordability.

“New Jersey’s lack of affordable homes for working families is nothing short of a crisis,” said Rose Leonard, a teacher in Mercer County who saw her rent increase from $1,900 to $2,700 per month during the pandemic.“It creates instability, prevents families from building savings, and creates an uncertain environment for our children who have to move from district to district to follow the availability of a home their families can afford. When we talk about making New Jersey more affordable, housing security and stability must be at the foundation. New Jersey needs more affordable homes for more people.”

New Jersey state government’s financial outlook is stronger now than even before the pandemic thanks to strong revenue collections and an influx of federal funds. This provides a generational opportunity to bring immediate relief to families struggling to balance their budgets through direct assistance, food, housing, and medical care, and expanding tax credits that help those having the most trouble making ends meet.

“I risked my life during the pandemic to make sure others could eat and shelter in place. But I only received aid after I fought to win the Excluded New Jerseyan Fund, which gave me and my family assistance. We need to make sure no one is left behind,” said Felix Gallardo (she/her), a member of Make the Road New Jersey and participant in the 24-day hunger strike who worked at a food factory during the pandemic where multiple coworkers died from COVID-19. “The Legislature should fully fund the Excluded New Jerseyan program with a billion dollars so no one is left behind instead of tax giveaways to the wealthiest New Jerseyans and businesses.”

The speakers also pointed to the billions of dollars New Jersey received from the federal government to help residents and communities recover from the pandemic, saying the state should use these funds as soon as possible to bolster the state’s public health infrastructure and help the people who have given the most and are still struggling to recover from the pandemic.

“Why not allocate some of the billions of dollars the state received in the American Rescue Plan toward addressing the staffing crisis to keep nurses at hospital bedsides?,” asked Banita Herndon, HPAE Local 5089 President and a nurse for more than 25 years, including 18-plus years in the Emergency Room at University Hospital in Newark. “Hazard pay and quarantine pay could be one of the best tools to retain those workers who are leaving and motivate others to join the healthcare profession.”

“The New Jersey State School Nurses Association, which represents over 1000 certified school nurses across the state, urges New Jersey to fully fund schools next year,” said Donna Pleus, President of the Association. “As we work to help students stay safe, healthy, and learning, our schools need full funding to provide children with high-quality health services from certified school nurses and mental health services from qualified providers.”

“The last two years have  been incredibly challenging and we have learned a lot about what students need to thrive in challenging circumstances,” said NJEA President Sean M. Spiller. “As we seek a return to normalcy in the upcoming school year, we urge New Jersey to invest heavily in our public schools so we can provide all the support and resources our students need to overcome the challenges of the last two years and to seize the opportunities that are ahead.”

“The Gospel writer Matthew, teaches in the Bible, ‘Where your treasure is, there your heart is also, Matthew 6:21,’” said Reverend Sara Lilja, Executive Director of Lutherans Engaging in Advocacy Ministry NJ (LEAMNJ). “Where we direct our spending in the state budget points to our priorities as New Jerseyans. Do we prioritize our neighbors over big corporations, and lift up those who have limited choices over those who have many? This is the time to clarify our priorities as a state, we must direct our support to those most in need”.

Watch a video recording of the press conference here.

Photos of the event are available here.

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For The Many is a statewide coalition of more than 30 organizations working to expand funding for essential services and improve budget practices to meet current and future needs, especially for communities that have been historically left behind. 

Jon Shure Returns to New Jersey Policy Perspective as Interim President

Posted on by NJPP Staff

The New Jersey Policy Perspective (NJPP) Board of Trustees announced today that NJPP founder Jon Shure has returned to the organization as Interim President. In this role, he will support the leadership transition following the departure of President Brandon McKoy.

“As we approach our 25th anniversary next year, NJPP is bigger, stronger, and more influential than ever in the cause of economic security and social justice for all New Jerseyans,” Jon Shure said. “ I’m proud to serve in this new role and help the organization transition to new leadership.”

Shure has been a Senior Director of Taft Communications for the past five years and will continue to serve as a senior consultant. Jon spent more than a decade as a reporter for The Record before becoming press secretary for then-Congressman Jim Florio and serving as communications director during Florio’s term as Governor. In 1997, Jon became the founding President of NJPP and, over 12 years, built the organization into the state’s premier public policy think tank.

“There are few, if any, people who know NJPP as intimately as Jon does,” said NJPP Board Chair Marcia Marley. “With his knowledge of the organization, his passion for policy research, and his commitment to advancing economic justice, Jon is uniquely qualified to lead NJPP as Interim President.”

The NJPP Board of Trustees will soon launch a national search for a new President. A search committee, led by Board Chair Marcia Marley, will guide the process with input from staff, board members, and the policy research and advocacy communities.

Jon Shure’s first day as Interim President was November 10, 2021.

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NJPP President Brandon McKoy Stepping Down to Join Center on Budget and Policy Priorities

Posted on by NJPP Staff

Today, Brandon McKoy announced that after seven years with New Jersey Policy Perspective (NJPP), the last two and a half as President, he will step down at the end of October 2021 to join the senior leadership team of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP), a DC-based think tank that promotes public policies to reduce poverty and advance equity.

Under Brandon McKoy’s leadership, NJPP has grown bigger, stronger, and more diverse than ever before, with a larger staff, more funding, and a broader research portfolio than at any other time in the organization’s 25-year history.

“It has been an honor and a privilege to lead NJPP through this deeply transformative chapter,” said NJPP President Brandon McKoy. “Over the last few years, we have grown substantially — in funding, size, and influence — and radically reshaped the narrative on the role of state budgets in advancing racial equity. While this is a bittersweet moment, my new position will provide me a platform to counsel, strengthen, and resource NJPP and other state think tanks across the country so that they are better able to model our success.”

In November, Brandon McKoy will become the Vice President of State Partnerships at CBPP, providing strategic support to a network of think tanks across 41 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia.

“Through his bold and strategic thinking, tireless advocacy on behalf of low-and moderate-income New Jerseyans, and commitment to racial and economic justice, Brandon has led NJPP to new heights and cemented himself as a respected leader in the State Priorities Partnership network,” said Sharon Parrott, President of CBPP. “I am thrilled to have him join CBPP where his work will continue to have a profound impact on families and communities in states across the country.”

“Brandon’s departure will leave a void in Trenton,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “As President of New Jersey Policy Perspective, Brandon was heavily involved in advocating for many of our administration’s biggest accomplishments, including enacting a pathway to the $15 minimum wage and restoring the millionaire’s tax.  While I am sad to see him leave, I know that his work on dismantling structures of racism and wealth disparity has made this state a better place for working families and that he will bring the same values and perspective to Washington.”

NJPP’s Board of Trustees will begin to search for a new president who will continue to center racial equity and data-driven solutions in policy debates across the Garden State.

“NJPP was already the premier think tank in New Jersey, but under Brandon’s leadership the organization is now the North Star and leading voice on issues of racial justice,” said Marcia Marley, NJPP Board Chair and President of BlueWaveNJ. “While no transition is easy, NJPP is stronger than ever before thanks to Brandon’s leadership. Though we are sad to see him go, we are thrilled to see his hard work validated and excited to work with him in his new role.”

Brandon McKoy has worked at NJPP for more than seven years and has served as the organization’s President since 2019. Under Brandon’s leadership, NJPP:

  • Played a critical role in advancing policies that benefit millions of New Jersey residents every day, including the $15 minimum wage, millionaires tax, driver’s license expansion, all kids health coverage, marijuana legalization, and expansions to the social safety net and tax credits for working families.
  • Doubled its full-time staff, allowing the organization to expand its research into education, criminal and legal systems, climate, transit, and child care.
  • Expanded its budget by more than 75 percent and built a healthy financial reserve by engaging with local and national funders who are deeply invested in pursuing racial equity.
  • Rebranded with a new logo, visual identity, and website that makes the organization’s research more accessible.

 

NJPP will celebrate Brandon’s tenure with the organization on October 21, 2021 at Progress 2021: Honoring Brandon McKoy. Reservations and sponsorships are available here.

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New Jersey Policy Perspective Expands Research Team

Posted on by NJPP Staff

New Jersey Policy Perspective (NJPP) announced today three additions to the organization’s policy team. The Trenton-based think-tank has hired Peter Chen as a Senior Policy Analyst to research child and family policy, Marleina Ubel as a State Policy Fellow to research alternatives to policing, and Kimberly Thomson as the 2021 Kathleen Crotty Fellow to research universal basic income.

“Peter is one of the sharpest policy minds in the state,” said Brandon McKoy, President of NJPP. “His vision, talent, and rock-solid analyses will take NJPP to new heights as we expand our work in child care, early education, and family policy. We’re incredibly fortunate to have Peter join the NJPP team.”

Peter Chen, Esq. has worked on child and family policy in New Jersey since 2014, writing reports on and advocating for childhood lead poisoning prevention, summer meals, reducing chronic absenteeism, and more. Prior to NJPP, Peter was Policy Counsel at Advocates for Children of New Jersey, where he also served as a Skadden Fellow from 2014-16. Most recently, he coordinated New Jersey’s nonprofit campaign for a complete count of the 2020 Census. Peter received his JD from Yale Law School and his BA from Indiana University-Bloomington.

“I am thrilled to be joining this dedicated team of experts and advocates,” said Peter Chen. “NJPP is the state’s premier think tank; I look forward to helping them advance policies that support children and families in every corner of the state.”

NJPP also welcomed Marleina Ubel as a State Policy Fellow for 2021 through 2023. The fellowship, coordinated by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, places recent graduate school graduates in state-based policy organizations across the country.

Marleina, a dedicated researcher and advocate for underrepresented groups, was most recently the 2020-2021 Kathleen Crotty Fellow for NJPP where she researched the state budget and alternatives to policing. She will continue this work in her new role with the organization. Marleina began her undergraduate work at Valencia College, earned her BA in Philosophy from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and received her MSW in Management and Policy at Rutgers University.

“NJPP has been fighting for economic and social justice with research and policy advocacy since its inception,” said Marleina Ubel. “It is a great privilege to continue working with NJPP.”

Additionally, NJPP hired Kimberly Thomson as the organization’s 2021 Kathleen Crotty Fellow. The Crotty Fellowship honors the legacy of NJPP’s late board chair by giving the next generation of New Jersey policy leaders an intensive, paid summer experience in policy analysis.

Kim began her career in clinical genetics, providing counseling services to both prenatal and pediatric patients. With a desire to expand her focus to population health, she recently completed a master’s degree in Public Health Policy and Administration at Montclair State University. Since graduating, she has worked in the policy office of the All of Us genomics research program at the National Institute of Health (NIH). Kim’s professional interests include the role of public policy in addressing social determinants of health to reduce health inequities and disparities.

“I am excited to join the NJPP team,” said Kimberly Thomson. “As a public health professional, I welcome the opportunity to research policy solutions that promote the health and well-being of all New Jerseyans”

Kim’s first day with NJPP was June 1, Peter’s first day was July 1, and Marleina officially starts as State Policy Fellow on August 2.

“Now is the time for bold policy solutions to meet the moment and address the racial disparities that the pandemic laid bare,” said McKoy. “I am excited to have Marleina and Kim join us as we research transformational policies that advance racial and economic justice for all.”

Founded in 1997, NJPP is a “think and do” tank, driving policy change to advance economic, social, and racial justice through evidence-based independent research, analysis, and advocacy.

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New Poll: Most New Jersey Voters Support Union Rights, Abolishing “The Line,” and Investing in Alternatives to Policing

Posted on by NJPP Staff

June 22, 2021  – New Jersey voters strongly support workers’ rights to unionize, reforming New Jersey’s primary ballot design, and investing in alternatives to policing, according to a new public opinion poll by Data for Progress and New Jersey Policy Perspective (NJPP).

With the governorship and full Legislature up for election this fall, the findings of this poll show that New Jersey voters want to see their state lawmakers pursue an ambitious and progressive policy agenda that will build a state that is stronger, kinder, and fairer to all its residents.

“It’s clear that New Jersey voters are done with ‘business as usual’ and are ready to see our state transformed for the better,” said Brandon McKoy, President of New Jersey Policy Perspective. “Voters want lawmakers to make real, tangible change when it comes to supporting workers, making our democracy stronger, and our communities safer. Now it’s time for lawmakers to deliver.”

The poll finds that more than 6 in 10 New Jersey voters are aware of the “county line” on New Jersey’s primary ballots, with a majority of voters saying they support removing the line from primary ballots. As NJPP has previously reported, New Jersey is the only state in the country to organize its primary ballots this way. The line provides a structural advantage to candidates endorsed by county political parties, disenfranchising voters and allowing party insiders to pick election winners.

The poll finds that at least 7 out of 10 Democrats, Republicans, and unaffiliated voters support the right of workers to unionize. Additionally, 6 in 10 voters support reallocating resources used by law enforcement towards social and community based services, such as mental health support and violence prevention programs.

“As we emerge from this pandemic, New Jersey voters are keenly aware that simply returning to the status quo will not suffice,” said Brian Burton, Senior Analyst at Data for Progress. “This poll shows that the opportunity is ripe to enact ambitious changes in the Garden State.”

Key findings include:

  • Union rights are broadly popular, with strong bipartisan support. In total, 78 percent of voters support the right of workers to unionize, while only 18 oppose. By party affiliation, 88 percent of Democrats support union rights, as do 72 percent of independent/unaffiliated voters and 70 percent of Republicans.
  • A majority of New Jersey voters are familiar with the “county line” on the state’s primary ballots. In total, 61 percent of voters are familiar with the line, including 65 percent of Democrats, 55 percent of independents/unaffiliated voters, and 62 percent of Republicans reporting being somewhat or very familiar with the practice.
  • There is broad, bipartisan support for changing the structure of New Jersey’s primary ballots so they look like those used in every other state. In total, 54 percent of voters support getting rid of the line, including 57 percent of Democrats, 57 percent of independents/unaffiliated voters, and a plurality of Republican voters at 47 percent.
  • A majority of Democrats and independent/unaffiliated voters support investments in alternatives to policing. In total, 60 percent of voters support reallocating resources used by law enforcement towards community-based social and mental health programs, including 83 percent of Democrats, 51 percent of independents/unaffiliated voters, and 34 percent of Republicans.

 

From April 12 to 24, 2021, Data for Progress conducted a survey of 2,058 likely voters in New Jersey using SMS and web panel respondents. The sample was weighted to be representative of likely voters by age, gender, education, race, and voting history. The survey was conducted in English. The margin of error is ±2 percentage points.

The full poll results can be viewed here:
https://www.dataforprogress.org/blog/2021/6/22/new-jersey-bold-progressive-change

 

New Jersey Policy Perspective Hires Digital Communications Manager

Posted on by NJPP Staff

New Jersey Policy Perspective (NJPP) announced today that it has hired Erica Boland as the think-tank’s new Digital Communications Manager. In this role, Erica will be responsible for the development and daily execution of NJPP’s web, social media, and video strategy.

“We are thrilled to have Erica join the NJPP team,” said Brandon McKoy, President of NJPP. “Her professional experience, creative thinking, and commitment to our mission creates a skillset that uniquely satisfies NJPP’s needs as we work to amplify our policy analysis and reach new audiences.”

Erica is a veteran communications and creative professional, with over ten years of experience working in the private and public sectors. She is a skilled graphic designer and communicator with expertise in digital design and marketing.

Prior to joining NJPP, Erica worked for the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency, where she led and executed digital campaigns promoting programs and events that benefit New Jersey residents. Erica has also worked as a graphic designer and art director for private marketing agencies designing websites, email campaigns, and social media campaigns. Erica graduated from the Tyler School of Art at Temple University with her Bachelor’s of Science in Art Education.

“I’m proud and honored to join such a brilliant team of leaders dedicated to racial equity and economic justice,” said NJPP Digital Communications Manager Erica Boland. “I am so grateful for the opportunity to utilize my skills and join NJPP in promoting policy solutions that help build a strong, equitable future for New Jersey.”

Erica’s first day with NJPP was May 24.

Founded in 1997, NJPP is a “think and do” tank, driving policy change to advance economic, social, and racial justice through evidence-based independent research, analysis, and advocacy.

State and National Leaders Commend NJPP’s Blueprint to Secure a Just Recovery

Posted on by NJPP Staff

April 20, 2021 – Earlier today, NJPP released the Blueprint to Secure a Just Recovery, a bold and comprehensive policy platform to guide New Jersey’s pandemic recovery within an anti-racist framework. State and national leaders commend the policy recommendations in the Blueprint and its goals of reducing the racial wealth gap, eliminating poverty, and realizing equity in every corner of the state.

“Over the years, NJPP has distinguished itself as one of the most influential think tanks in New Jersey, driving meaningful policy change to advance economic, social, and racial justice through rigorous independent research,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “The organization’s new report – “Blueprint to Secure a Just Recovery” – serves as an important contribution to the policy discourse at a time when we not only need to get through the pandemic, but spark equitable growth over the long-term to build a stronger, fairer, and more resilient economy for every New Jersey family.”

“The New Jersey Policy Perspective’s Blueprint to Secure a Just Recovery lays out an ambitious plan that not only addresses some of the current crises we’re facing now, but creates guidance for building a more resilient state prepared to face challenges yet to come,” said Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12). “The COVID-19 pandemic has ripped the cover off of many vulnerabilities that went unchecked and often unnoticed by policymakers. This blueprint would ensure we don’t return to the state we were before the pandemic and that we meet the challenges in front of us to create a more just and fairer New Jersey in which every resident can thrive.”

“Congratulations to Brandon McKoy and the New Jersey Policy Perspective team on the release of their Blueprint,” said Senator Vin Gopal (D-Monmouth). “I am pleased to see several initiatives that we have worked together, such as the repeal of the yacht tax, and other key policy platforms included in this Blueprint. These policy points will continue conversations in some cases, and begin conversations in other cases, on how we make New Jersey fair for every resident.”

“NJPP has designed a modernized roadmap for policy changes that create a stronger inclusive New Jersey, especially for people of color,” said Assemblywoman Shavonda Sumter (D-Passaic), Chair of the New Jersey Legislative Black Caucus. “This Blueprint establishes a well-defined resolution that addresses centuries of discriminatory policies across a variety of issue areas including labor, housing, health, education, and more. The New Jersey Legislative Black Caucus has served as a collaborative partner throughout the years with NJPP to highlight the legislative initiatives necessary to disrupt the norm. These initiatives included the increase in the minimum wage, paid sick leave, expansion of affordable healthcare, and pay equity.

“The historic Coronavirus pandemic has revealed that there is still much work to be done,” Sumter added. “Reports such as the Blueprint unveils the history of systemic and structural policies that have disproportionately impacted black people in the state. To restore New Jersey’s economy, there must be a realignment of policies that help Blacks, Hispanics, and low-wage earners grow financially. Additionally, earnest efforts must be made to understand the structural limitations established by prior generations so that we may break the barriers for future generations. Therefore, support for legislation such as the Reparations Taskforce bill is crucial. As the prime sponsor of the Reparations Taskforce legislation, the passage in both the house and senate with signature by the Governor is critical to document the historical role our state played in the enslavement of black people. It will also help to validate the economic impediments for generations outlined in this report.”

“New Jersey is in a position to be a leader of progress in reducing the disparate impact on communities of color, immigrants, and the poor. New Jersey is shoring up our future to improve the lives of all and not just some,” Sumter added. “We have the foundational pillars within the Blueprint, now it is time to get to work as collaborative partners. The New Jersey Legislative Black Caucus looks forward to working with this effort.”

“NJPP’s Blueprint to Secure a Just Recovery reflects a more equitable state for all New Jersey residents,” said Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds-Jackson (D-Mercer). “The Blueprint clears the path for a fairer state by focusing on key areas such as economic security, education, and voting rights. NJPP has been a crucial partner during my time as a legislator and I look forward to continuing working with them to create a new normal that leads to a fairer Garden State.”

“NJPP constantly reminds us that math is real, and as a legislator with a scientific approach to policymaking, I appreciate the data and statistics that NJPP brings to the conversation,” said Assemblyman Andrew Zwicker. “I look forward to in-depth discussions about the recommendations in the report as we work to make a New Jersey that works better for all those who call our Garden State community home. Our discussions must advance the importance of strengthening New Jersey’s economy and enhancing our resident’s daily lives in a manner that does not minimize or silence social inequality.”

“In order for New Jersey to truly thrive, we must ensure that recovery from the pandemic is about much more than climbing back to an inequitable and unacceptable status quo,” said Maisha Simmons, New Jersey Team Director at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. “The policy reforms identified in NJPP’s Blueprint are critical to achieving the promise of a healthier, more equitable New Jersey for everyone who calls our state home.”

“New Jersey Citizen Action understands the main reasons why social and economic inequities persist in New Jersey and this nation: corporate influence over government tax and budget decisions, and systemic racism,” said Dena Mottola Jaborska, Associate Director, New Jersey Citizen Action. “This Blueprint is built around this same analysis and includes many of the fundamental solutions families need to escape poverty and build economic security. There is no getting around this problem with surface-level proposals — systemic issues baked into state and federal laws and regulations can only be addressed by systemic changes. The vast majority of New Jersey families are poor or struggling middle income and urgently need the solutions this blueprint contains.”

“This Blueprint provides concrete policy solutions for New Jersey to lead the nation toward a more prosperous and equitable future,” said Nick Johnson, Senior Vice President for State Fiscal Policy, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. “It’s a bold vision for New Jersey, forged with partners across the state and with a particular emphasis to advancing economic and racial justice for communities of color and those with low incomes. Every Garden State policymaker should read this Blueprint closely – and then help turn its forward-thinking ideas into action.”

“Having grown up in New Jersey, I am especially thrilled to see New Jersey Policy Perspective’s Blueprint to Secure a Just Recovery putting forth recommendations to prioritize economic and racial justice in the state’s pandemic recovery efforts,” said Otis Rolley, Senior Vice President of Equity and Economic Opportunity at The Rockefeller Foundation. “This is a real chance to put equity first and address longstanding disparities.”

“This is an ambitious agenda that rightly recognizes that New Jersey’s economy is not working well if it is not working for everyone,” said Naomi Walker, Director of the Economic Analysis and Research Network (EARN). “The policies outlined target racial and gender inequities, ensure working people have good, safe, and stable jobs with family-supporting benefits and wages, and make strong public investments financed by a tax system in which the wealthy pay their fair share. This agenda would allow New Jersey to build an economy where everyone can thrive and prioritizes justice for all.”

“New Jersey faces critical choices that will determine whether we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic as a stronger, more equitable state or one that continues to perpetuate devastating racial disparities and economic inequality,” said Sara Cullinane, Director of Make the Road NewJersey. “NJPP’s Blueprint is a powerful, comprehensive and visionary tool to ensure everyone — in particular, working-class and poor communities of color that have disproportionately suffered — has the opportunity to thrive.”

“While New Jersey has taken significant steps in recent years to end punitive policies that disproportionately harm low-income communities and communities of color, much remains to be done. As NJPP’s Blueprint for a Fair and Just Recovery shows, the pandemic exposed starkly how deep the cracks of inequity in our system go, and the recovery presents an unprecedented opportunity to more forcefully confront these issues,” said Amol Sinha, Executive Director of ACLU-NJ. We cannot allow complacency to take hold in addressing what has become clearer in the emergency of the pandemic. The public health emergency may end, but the emergency of injustice and inequity that COVID clearly showed will still rage on. NJPP reminds us that New Jersey can and must be a leader in addressing issues like racial injustice, threats to democracy, access to reproductive care, full inclusion of immigrants, and so many other inequities as the emergencies they are.”

“The path out of the pandemic and building a better society will be long. NJPP’s Blueprint report paves the way forward for holistically thinking about the solutions that will put our state on firmer footing,” said Doug O’Malley, director of Environment New Jersey. “While the storm of COVID will eventually pass, the struggles we face to build a more sustainable, healthier, and greener New Jersey will remain. Climate change has not abated, our public health crisis from lead pollution has not disappeared and the air pollution from our dirtiest trucks and buses still pollutes our air. This blueprint should be a rallying call for the public — and for decision-makers — to think big as we build our recovery from the pandemic.”

“This Blueprint is a clear path forward to a truly sustainable and just economic future for New Jersey,” said Debra Coyle McFadden, Executive Director, NJ Work Environment Council. “We can create a system that includes affordable healthcare, stronger worker protections, climate resilience, and investment in our public schools. We can do this and more if we think big and make investments in our values.”

“The COVID-19 pandemic brought to the fore the inequalities that harm the lives of so many New Jerseyans,” said Kevin Brown, SEIU 32BJ Vice President and New Jersey Director. “The Blueprint for a Just Recovery provides our state with a foundation to move into recovery with the means to better protect workers. By enhancing the equal enforcement of our state’s $15 minimum wage, just cause protections, wage theft laws, and ALL workplace protections, we will be building a fair economy that works for us all.”

“As New Jersey moves toward COVID-19 pandemic recovery, many immigrants, people of Color, and low-income families are still suffering. New Jersey Policy Perspective’s Blueprint affirms what our communities have known all along — we can no longer tolerate margins of error in our public policy. The State must look back at the practices that brought us to this point in order to move toward a just future,” said Amy Torres, Executive Director at the New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice. “NJPP’s Blueprint does exactly that, by proposing a just recovery that asks more from those who suffered the least and invests it back into the communities that make New Jersey strong.”

“Building a stronger, fairer, and thriving New Jersey is going to take bold forward-thinking policies, which this comprehensive Blueprint maps out,” said Staci Berger, President and CEO of the Housing and Community Development Network of New Jersey. “The recommendations include a path towards creating a place every New Jerseyan can afford to call home in a healthy community of choice. There are steps New Jersey leaders can take right now to achieve this goal, including preventing another raid on the Affordable Housing Trust Fund and protecting homeowners and renters impacted by the pandemic. We applaud NJPP for creating this commonsense path for post-pandemic recovery.”

“NJPP’s Blueprint uplifts what we know to be true: that ending the drug war, replacing punishment with public health and community care, and embedding racial justice and equity for immigrants in every facet of policymaking are essential if New Jersey hopes to live up to our progressive reputation,” said Jenna Mellor, Executive Director of the New Jersey Harm Reduction Coalition. “NJPP’s thoughtful research and analysis, done in deep collaboration with community partners, put it at the moral center of policy leadership in New Jersey.”

New Jersey Policy Perspective (NJPP) is a nonpartisan think tank that drives policy change to advance economic, social, and racial justice through evidence-based, independent research, analysis, and strategic communications.

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