Category: Friday Facts and Figures

Friday Facts and Figures is a weekly newsletter with data points, analysis, and commentary on the biggest policy debates in New Jersey and beyond​.
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COVID-19 Cases: 656,904 | Deaths: 20,083
[New Jersey Department of Health / COVID-19 Dashboard]

1 Million

New Jersey hit a big milestone this week, with the state surpassing the 1 million mark for vaccines. This includes more than 813,000 first doses and more than 224,000 second doses. To date, eligibility includes front-line health workers; residents of nursing homes, group homes, and people who are incarcerated; people 65 and over; and adults with underlying health conditions. Health officials say the state cannot keep up with the demand, but the Biden administration’s purchase of 200 million additional vaccines should help fix that. [NJ.com / Jeff Goldman]

9.4 Percent

The new state health care exchange had a successful first year, with enrollment in the marketplace up 9.4 percent compared to last year. In total, 270,000 residents signed up for health insurance through the state-run online portal, with approximately 80 percent of enrollees qualifying for financial assistance. The state-run marketplace allows New Jersey to go above and beyond the federal marketplace with more plans, more financial aid, and a longer enrollment period. [NJ.com / Susan Livio]

1.1 Million

Over the last week, an additional 1.1 million workers filed for unemployment benefits across the country. With the spread of COVID-19 still out of control, this statistic should serve as another reminder that there cannot be economic health without public health. “While the progress of vaccination efforts has stymied an increase in new layoffs in December, the rate at which unemployed workers are finding new jobs and exiting the jobless rolls has yet to keep pace,” said Andrew Stettner, senior fellow at The Century Foundation. [CNN / Anneken Tappe]

More Than 100

On Tuesday, more than 100 New Jersey teachers sent an open letter to state lawmakers and Governor Murphy in support of immediate economic relief for undocumented immigrants. Approximately 500,000 immigrants in New Jersey have been left behind from virtually all forms of state and federal assistance, including the $1,200 stimulus checks in the CARES Act and the $600 checks issued last month. “I’m begging New Jersey state officials to take care of my students,” said Jessica Brater, an assistant professor at Montclair State University. [Patch / Eric Kiefer]

30 Percent

Over the last twenty years, Camden’s teacher workforce has shifted from majority Black to majority white, according to a new NJPP report by Mark Weber. This is due to the expansion of charter and renaissance schools in the city, which hire fewer Black teachers than the Camden City School District. In 1999, more than half of Camden’s teachers were Black; in 2019, only 30 percent were. The report points out that this is the result of state, not local, policies, as Camden’s school district has operated under a state fiscal monitor since 2006 and under full state control since 2013. [NJ.com / Bill Duhart]

Show Some Love for NJPP!

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and … without wanting to sound like your needy ex … NJPP wants you to show us some love! While we are open to a one-time donation, NJPP is looking for the deeper, long-term relationship that you can only get from a monthly commitment. Finding love might be hard, but showing your love for a fair, equitable New Jersey isn’t — sign up as a monthly donor today! [NJPP / Donate]

Pets of NJPP

Meet Fig, aka Wiggles, the co-working pup of Justin Goldsman. Fig loves the snow, oddly enjoys snacking on pickles and peppers, and is a social butterfly — there isn’t a dog out there that Fig doesn’t love. Woof!

Have a fact or figure for us? Tweet it to @NJPolicy. 

Friday Facts and Figures is a weekly newsletter with data points, analysis, and commentary on the biggest policy debates in New Jersey and beyond​.
Sign up here.

COVID-19 Cases: 633,731 | Deaths: 19,606
[New Jersey Department of Health / COVID-19 Dashboard]

Abolish the Drug War

On Monday, advocates and community leaders from across the state came together to launch a new coalition to abolish the War on Drugs. The coalition, Abolish the Drug War NJ, recognizes that prohibition simply does not work, and drug use should be treated as a public health issue. “New Jersey lawmakers must understand that, for decades, oppressive drug laws have dehumanized and harmed the very communities they are sworn to serve,” NJPP President Brandon McKoy said. “The people of this state support decriminalization efforts – as we saw most recently in November’s election. Now it’s time for Trenton to step up to the plate and build a system that addresses drug use with humanity, compassion, and restoration.” [NJ Globe / Nikita Biryukov]

$300 Million

In one of his first acts as President, Joe Biden has chosen to reimburse states for costs incurred during the early stages of the pandemic. Specifically, the administration has eliminated a local cost-share measure tied to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funds; the move will bring another $300 million to New Jersey. This is good news for the state’s finances and will free up additional funding for pandemic relief efforts. The state will need significantly more federal aid, however, to fully recover from the economic damage brought on by COVID-19. [NJ.com / Jonathan D. Salant]

Substantial

A new report by the Office of the State Comptroller identified a big loophole in New Jersey’s workers’ compensation policy. For the last 15 years, the state Department of Labor shielded insurance companies from paying workers’ comp claims and, instead, shifted the costs onto the state’s pension system. While the report did not include an estimate of how much this policy has cost the state, Acting Comptroller Kevin Walsh described it as “substantial.” The Divison of Workers’ Compensation has already closed the loophole, and they have pledged to follow the report’s recommendations to stop further waste. [NJ Spotlight News / John Reitmeyer]

The Budget, Explained

The state budget is an enormous document — drafted through a long and arduous process — with big implications on all of the programs and initiatives we hold near and dear. Fortunately, NJPP’s 2020-2021 Crotty Fellow Marleina Ubel is helping demystify the budget document and process with this thorough explainer. As Marleina writes, “The budget is drafted with input from the Governor, state departments and agencies, the Legislature, residents, and after reading this explainer, you!” Click the link to read more and please consider sharing this with anyone in your network who may find this information useful. [NJPP / Marleina Ubel]

31

The state Attorney General (AG) is investigating the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility, the state’s only prison for women, after guards brutally beat a woman incarcerated in the facility last month. This incident is the latest in a long pattern of abuse by guards. Last April, the Justice Department found that guards regularly sexually assaulted women in the prison. The state has suspended 31 people at the prison, including the top administrator, while the AG, State Comptroller, and Legislature investigate the matter. [The New York Times / Tracey Tully]

ICYMI

In an op-ed published by The Star-Ledger earlier this week, NJPP President Brandon McKoy and Men4Chocie Co-Executive Director Oren Jacobson called on pro-choice men to get off the sidelines and call on their representatives to pass the Reproductive Freedom Act. The proposal would codify Roe v. Wade in state law and expand access to abortion care for all. Join the conversation on Twitter using the #PassTheRFA hashtag! [NJ.com / Brandon McKoy and Oren Jacobson]

Pets of NJPP

Meet Gunner, the co-working pup of Loren Greene from New Jersey Citizen Action. Gunner is a 3-year-old rescued labrabull. He loves to go on hikes, eat ice and snow, is afraid of the rain, has an ongoing feud with an outdoor cat that he barks at from the window, and is a big supporter of Medicare for All after he tore his CCL and wasn’t able to afford his surgery. Woof!

Have a fact or figure for us? Tweet it to @NJPolicy. 

Friday Facts and Figures is a weekly newsletter with data points, analysis, and commentary on the biggest policy debates in New Jersey and beyond​.
Sign up here.

COVID-19 Cases: 610,324 | Deaths: 19,172
[New Jersey Department of Health / COVID-19 Dashboard]

Extended

Big health care news: New Jersey has extended the open enrollment period for its new health insurance marketplace until May 15 (enroll here). This extension will give uninsured residents more time to get health coverage for 2021. “We’re calling it the COVID-19 special enrollment period so that all of our uninsured individuals can go on and get coverage,” said Marlene Caride, Commissioner of the state Department of Banking and Insurance. And while this is meant to boost health care enrollment during the pandemic, having COVID-19 has no bearing on whether or not uninsured residents can take advantage of the extension. “We’re not asking for proof that you had COVID,” Caride added. [WHYY / Joe Hernandez]

15 Percent

Investment returns for New Jersey’s pension fund totaled nearly 15 percent for the first half of the fiscal year — more than double the assumed rate of 7.3 percent. This is great news for the state’s finances, especially after the pension fund grew a mere 1 percent during the 2020 fiscal year due to the economic fallout from COVID-19. The strong returns over the last few months may also indicate higher than expected personal income tax collections for the state, given the relationship between stock market performance and high-income household earnings. [NJ Spotlight News / John Reitmeyer]

GameStop

Speaking of the stock market, GameStop stocks have surged this week thanks to members of the Reddit messageboard r/WallStreetBets. Redditors boosted the stock in response to several hedge funds taking short positions on the stock (read: betting on the stock price to fall), resulting in hedge funds losing an estimated $70 billion in the last week. In an effort to protect Wall Street, some stock trading platforms froze purchases of GameStop stock, which has congressional representatives on both sides of the political spectrum calling for an investigation. This week’s events have also renewed calls for stronger wealth taxes, closing carried interest loopholes, and a financial transactions tax. [NBC News / Dareh Gregorian]

7 Times More Likely

The maternal mortality rate for Black women in New Jersey is among the highest in the nation, with Black women being seven times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women. To curb this alarming disparity, First Lady Tammy Murphy has unveiled an ambitious plan to reduce the state’s maternal mortality rate by 50 percent over five years. The Nurture NJ campaign aims to eliminate racial disparities by addressing social determinants of health like access to housing, education, and food. [NorthJersey.com / Lindy Washburn]

The Line

Earlier this week, six current and former candidates for office added their names to a federal lawsuit that seeks to reform New Jersey’s primary ballot designs and abolish “the line.” As NJPP has previously reported, “the line” gives preference to candidates backed by the local county Democratic or Republican Party, allowing party insiders — not voters — to essentially pick primary election winners. New Jersey is the only state in the nation that organizes its ballots this way. [NJ Spotlight News / Colleen O’Dea]

ICYMI 1

Earlier this week, the NJPP Board of Trustees got a little bigger and a lot stronger with the addition of Tara Dowdell and Patrick Toussaint. Tara and Patrick bring a wealth of knowledge and experience in government, public relations, and grassroots advocacy to the NJPP team. Welcome aboard! [NJPP]

ICYMI 2

Today is EITC Awareness Day! The Earned Income Tax Credit, which provides a boost to low-paid workers and their families, is one of the most effective anti-poverty programs in U.S. history. It only works, however, if eligible workers claim the credit. Click the link to find out if you qualify — and please help spread the word! [Internal Revenue Service / EITC Assistant]

Pets of NJPP

Say hello to Katie, the co-adventuring pup of Leann Currari and Bill Mellor! Katie loves to travel, enjoys going to the hairdresser, and is always on the prowl for some snacks (me too, Katie). Woof! 

Have a fact or figure for us? Tweet it to @NJPolicy. 

Friday Facts and Figures is a weekly newsletter with data points, analysis, and commentary on the biggest policy debates in New Jersey and beyond​.
Sign up here.

COVID-19 Cases: 580,688 | Deaths: 18,639
[New Jersey Department of Health / COVID-19 Dashboard]

46th

Joe Biden got straight to work after being sworn in as the nation’s 46th president, signing a flurry of executive orders aimed at reversing some of the Trump administration’s most controversial and harmful policies. As the Star-Ledger outlines here, these executive orders will have a big impact on New Jersey. By restoring Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), President Biden is codifying protections for more than 16,000 Dreamers in the Garden State. President Biden also ended the Trump administration’s “Muslim Ban,” which restricted travel from several countries with Muslim majorities. [NJ.com / Jonathan D. Salant]

6

Today’s a big day in New Jersey’s vaccination push, as the state opens its fifth and sixth vaccine mega-sites. Sites are now open in Atlantic, Bergen, Burlington, Gloucester, Middlesex, and Morris Counties, and they are offering vaccines to high-priority groups, including health care professionals, first responders, people over age 65, and those with chronic health conditions. Click the link here for more info on how to set up an appointment at each site. [NJ.com / Chris Sheldon]

7.6 Percent

New Jersey’s unemployment rate dropped to 7.6 percent in December — but this isn’t news to celebrate, as the drop comes from workers leaving the labor force rather than finding new jobs. This is a bad sign for the economy and a stark example of how economic health is inextricably linked to public health. The best things New Jersey can do now are 1) speed up vaccinations to get the pandemic under control, and 2) make sure that unemployment insurance benefits are available so that people can meet their basic needs as they continue looking for jobs. [NJ Spotlight News / Number of the Day]

First Step

2 Million

Big news for commuters: the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has unveiled final plans for a new state-of-the-art, 2 million-square-foot bus terminal. The plan includes a new five-story bus terminal, a bus storage facility with electric charging infrastructure, and a new ramp structure — all to be built on land owned by the Port Authority in midtown Manhattan. This is great news for commuters, as a competing proposal would have put the new bus terminal at the Javitz Center, blocks away from the 12 subway lines connected to the existing terminal. I want to give a special shout out to Senator Loretta Weinberg and former Senator Bob Gordon (my former boss) for their years of tireless advocacy on this. [NJ.com / Larry Higgs]

ICYMI: We’re Hiring! 

Here’s your chance to join your favorite wonks at NJPP! We’re looking for a Digital Communications Manager to help us produce compelling videos and graphics, a Crotty Fellow to work with our policy team during the summer, and a State Policy Fellow to research and write reports with us for the next two years. If you’re interested or know someone who may be a good fit, please click the link for more info! [NJPP / Career Opportunities]

Pets of NJPP

Meet April, Michael Enich’s co-working cat! April was named by his previous owners who thought he was a girl — when they brought him in to get fixed a name was required on the vet forms, so they named him after the current month. April’s favorite pastry is a frangipane plum tart, which is the only human food he steals from the kitchen table. Having experienced homelessness early in his life, April is an avid harm reductionist and big supporter of the New Jersey Harm Reduction Coalition (in addition to being a big supporter of NJPP). Meow! 

Have a fact or figure for us? Tweet it to @NJPolicy. 

Friday Facts and Figures is a weekly newsletter with data points, analysis, and commentary on the biggest policy debates in New Jersey and beyond​.
Sign up here.

COVID-19 Cases: 555,299 | Deaths: 18,321
[New Jersey Department of Health / COVID-19 Dashboard]

$1.9 Trillion

On Thursday, President-elect Joe Biden announced a $1.9 trillion stimulus package to address the nation’s immediate health and economic needs. The proposal, titled the American Rescue Plan, is broken into three major areas: $400 billion to expand COVID-19 testing and establish a universal vaccination program; $1 trillion in direct relief to workers and families, including new $1,400 stimulus checks and increased unemployment insurance benefits; and $440 billion in aid to state, local, and tribal governments and small businesses. The plan would also extend the current federal moratorium on evictions and foreclosures until the end of September, raise the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour (tipped workers included!), and expand both the child tax credit and Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). And this is just to address the nation’s immediate needs — the President-elect will unveil in even bigger recovery package in a joint address to Congress next month. [The Washington Post / Erica Werner and Jeff Stein]

State of the State

Earlier this week, Governor Murphy delivered his third annual State of the State address where he highlighted major policies enacted during his first term, reflected on the pandemic, and laid out some priorities for 2021. One major theme of the speech: there is no economic health without public health. To that end, the governor announced that state officials have a plan to vaccinate “every willing New Jersey adult resident.” Another theme of the speech: we cannot cut our way out of the current recession. This is welcome news, as noted by NJPP President Brandon McKoy here, “By rejecting austerity and, instead, investing heavily in public schools, the social safety net, and health care, New Jersey is in a good position to chart a strong and swift pandemic recovery.” For more thoughts from the NJPP team, check out our Rapid Reaction, linked under the ICYMI headline below.  [NJ.com / Matt Arco and Brent Johnson]

Missed Deadline

More than half a million New Jersey residents and their families are still without access to a driver’s license, despite the passage of landmark driver’s license expansion legislation last year. The state Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) was supposed to provide a process for undocumented residents to obtain a license by January 1, but the agency missed that deadline. Fortunately, MVC is introducing and voting on amendments to the regulations this morning. Even so, the implementation process and timeline remain unclear. [NJ.com / Sophie Nieto-Munoz]

154,000

20,000

New Jersey hit a chilling milestone this week, with the COVID-19 death toll surpassing 20,000 residents. This includes more than 18,000 confirmed deaths and more than 2,000 deaths likely caused by the pandemic. COVID-19 was likely the number one cause of death in New Jersey for 2020 (this will not be confirmed until state health data is fully analyzed), as the 19,042 recorded deaths for the year surpassed the annual death toll from both heart disease and cancer. This is a grim reminder to wear a mask, limit your travel, and practice social distancing. [NJ.com / Brent Johnson]

ICYMI

Want to know what your favorite wonks from NJPP thought about Governor Murphy’s State of the State address? Check out this informal Rapid Reaction (gifs included), where we break down our favorite parts of the governor’s speech along with what was missing from it. [NJPP / Louis Di Paolo, Sheila Reynertson, Vineeta Kapahi, Brittany Holom-Trundy, Marleina Ubel]

Pets of NJPP

Meet Memphis, co-working pup of Jesse Burns, the Executive Director of the League of Women Voters of New Jersey! Memphis is a lab/shepherd/pit mix (otherwise known as a handsome boy). He loves to play tug, protects his family by barking non-stop, and carries himself with unearned smugness. Memphis really values quality sleep, as he’s known to huff and storm out of rooms whenever someone dares disturb his slumber. Woof! 

Have a fact or figure for us? Tweet it to @NJPolicy. 

Friday Facts and Figures is a weekly newsletter with data points, analysis, and commentary on the biggest policy debates in New Jersey and beyond​.
Sign up here.

COVID-19 Cases: 510,839 | Deaths: 17,587
[New Jersey Department of Health / COVID-19 Dashboard]

Insurrection

This is a dark week for democracy. The events that transpired at the capitol are heart-wrenching and shameful, but no one should find them surprising. The insurrection at the heart of our democracy is a direct result of the dangerous myth of American exceptionalism and the endless coddling and promotion of white supremacy. Democracy is so incredibly fragile, and it will never properly work as long as we remain incapable of reckoning with our violent history and centuries of racism that attacks the very idea of a multi-racial government. Yes, the nation must come together, but we must also hold those accountable who aided, abetted, and legitimized the lies that made this week possible. One thing we cannot afford to do is move on without reconciliation and grappling with the ugliness that brought us to this moment. [The New York Times / Peter Barker]

$14.5 Billion

With the stroke of a pen, Governor Murphy enacted a new $14.5 billion corporate tax break program on Thursday, doubling down on a failed economic development strategy that threatens to bankrupt the state. The bill repeats mistakes of the past by mirroring some of the most egregious elements of the corporate tax subsidy programs signed into law under the Christie administration — and at an even bigger price tag. While the proposals include a number of laudable oversight reforms, the sheer scale of the tax break package will crowd out revenue in future budgets to invest in proven building blocks of a strong economy, like education, health care, child care support, mass transit, and job training. In a legislative hearing last month, NJPP Senior Policy Analyst Sheila Reynertson characterized the price tag of the bill as “the height of irresponsibility.” [NJ BIZ / Daniel Munoz]

Flawed

Earlier this week, numerous press outlets ran stories on a dubious survey from United Van Lines, a private moving company, which called New Jersey the top out-migration state in the nation. The problem: numbers from one moving company are not an accurate depiction of migration in and out of New Jersey. Not by a long shot. Thankfully, ROI-NJ’s Tom Bergeron gave us an opportunity to point out just why this survey is flawed, and why the press and lawmakers alike need to stop giving it so much attention. Simply put, facts matter, and so do good data. [ROI-NJ / Tom Bergeron]

$12

ICYMI 1

NJPP Research Director Nicole Rodriguez was on TV earlier this week to talk about the many benefits of raising the minimum wage. In this segment, Nicole explains that when low-wage workers are paid more, that money gets spent immediately and locally. Bill Spitz, a small business owner in Jersey City, agrees, saying, “It’s what’s good for all of us.” [NJ Spotlight News / Leah Mishkin]

ICYMI 2

NJPP was on the radio this week, as well. In this segment on WNYC, Senior Policy Analyst Sheila Reynertson breaks down how the bloated $14.5 billion corporate tax break bill is bad news for New Jersey’s finances. [WNYC / Nancy Solomon]

Pets of NJPP

Writing this week’s Friday Facts and Figures email means I get to pick this week’s Pet of NJPP — so I’m picking my own! Meet Scout, who celebrated her 7th birthday yesterday. To celebrate, she enjoyed a hamburger, cupcake, and brand new toy! Scout is a border collie mix, so she likes to keep busy, often watching what’s happening out on the street from her bed and running around the house tossing her favorite ball. If it’s quiet, you can find her sleeping in front of the fireplace.

If you’d like your furry friend to be featured next week, email a photo with your pet’s name and some fun facts to NJPP Communications Director Louis Di Paolo at dipaolo@njpp.org.

Have a fact or figure for us? Tweet it to @NJPolicy. 

Friday Facts and Figures is a weekly newsletter with data points, analysis, and commentary on the biggest policy debates in New Jersey and beyond​.
Sign up here.

COVID-19 Cases: 423,226 | Deaths: 16,216
[New Jersey Department of Health / COVID-19 Dashboard]

A Day and a Half

State legislators, policy experts, reporters, and the public alike all had a measly day and a half to examine a 219-page bill creating new corporate tax incentive programs in New Jersey. The deal on tax incentives, which have a long and fraught history in the Garden State, was announced Tuesday night and immediately put on the fast-track. Bill language was only made available Wednesday, hearings in the Senate and Assembly are happening later today, and a final vote is scheduled for Monday. The total price tag of the proposal? $11.5 billion over six years. If that sounds like a ridiculous amount of money, that’s because it is. Subsidizing corporations with tax credits rarely work — experts say they work 10 percent of the time, at most — but they are expensive. Every dollar given away in tax credits is a dollar gone from the state Treasury, so this bill has potential to do major damage to the state’s short- and long-term fiscal health, especially after state lawmakers borrowed more than $4 billion just to balance this year’s budget. [NorthJersey.com / Ashley Balcerzak and Stacey Barchenger]

$11.5 Billion

It’s not just NJPP sounding the alarm on this new corporate tax break bill, as national experts are also shocked by the sheer size of the $11.5 billion proposal. “[Corporate tax incentives are] a really discredited part of economic policy,” said Greg LeRoy, Executive Director of Good Jobs First, a national economic development watchdog. “This is exactly not what states should be doing right now,” LeRoy added. The proposed corporate tax break programs are even larger than those under former Governor Christie, which routinely awarded more than $1 billion a year. Normalizing this level of corporate tax breaks would cement New Jersey’s status as a national outlier in corporate tax subsidy awards. It also threatens to undo some major tax reforms passed over the last few years. “New Jersey has really been an exemplar this year in positive progressive tax policies,’ said Dylan Grundman O’Neill of the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy. “This big corporate subsidy package really seems to fly in the face of that and walk back a lot of the progress that they’ve made this year.” [American Prospect / Marcia Brown]

420

Now for some good news: The bill to legalize recreational marijuana has officially passed the New Jersey Senate and Assembly! The bill, which sets the regulatory framework for the new legal cannabis industry, comes on the heels of New Jersey voters approving cannabis legalization on the General Election ballot in November by a 2:1 margin. In a statement, NJPP President Brandon McKoy described the vote as, “a historic day for New Jersey and a pivotal step toward dismantling the failed War on Drugs, which has disproportionately harmed Black and Latinx communities.” Thanks to work social justice advocates and grassroots activists, the bill will use the tax revenue from legal cannabis sales to invest in communities harmed most by the drug war. [NJ.com / Amanda Hoover]

Horizon

Act Now!

It’s not too late to urge your state legislators to rein in corporate tax subsidies in New Jersey! Use this action page from the For The Many NJ coalition to email your legislators now. This takes less than 30 seconds, I promise. [For The Many NJ / Act Now]

ICYMI

Earlier this week, NJPP released a new report on the challenges faced by parents during the COVID-19 pandemic. Click the link for NJ Spotlight News’ coverage of the report release, featuring NJPP Policy Analyst Vineeta Kapahi. [NJ Spotlight / Raven Santana]

Pets of NJPP

It’s been a long and tough week for us here at NJPP, so we’re including an extra adorable pup in today’s Facts and Figures. Meet Stitch, NJPP Trustee Dan Fatton’s co-working dog! Stitch is on a strict diet due to his gassy tendencies, loves to harass his frenemy Spartapus, enjoys wearing cozy sweaters (don’t we all?), and sleeps 16-20 hours a day. Woof!

Have a fact or figure for us? Tweet it to @NJPolicy. 

Friday Facts and Figures is a weekly newsletter with data points, analysis, and commentary on the biggest policy debates in New Jersey and beyond​.
Sign up here.

COVID-19 Cases: 386,606 | Deaths: 15,740
[New Jersey Department of Health / COVID-19 Dashboard]

3.6 Million

State lawmakers are fast-tracking a bill that would restructure Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield — New Jersey’s largest and only charitable health insurer — without a concrete understanding of how this would impact the health care of millions of New Jerseyans. This proposal is a big deal, as Horizon insures approximately 3.6 million residents across the state and, as a result, has significant influence over the affordability of health care in the Garden State. The bill would change Horizon’s corporate structure, splitting its health insurance operations from other business ventures, while also changing the insurer’s state tax liability. Horizon claims this is necessary for them to modernize operations and invest in new technology. The problem is, this is an incredibly complicated piece of legislation, and key information — namely an independent evaluation of Horizon’s assets as well as a health impact study on the proposal — are missing from the policy debate. Also absent are the voices of consumer advocates, as hearings on the bill have either been invite-only or lacked adequate notification for the public to sign up to speak. Our recommendation for lawmakers: slow it down. [NJPP / Brittany Holom-Trundy]

80 Percent

With many businesses now reopened, tipped service workers are on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic, enforcing mask mandates and social distancing measures at the expense of their tips and safety. According to a new report by One Fair Wage, more than 80 percent of service workers are experiencing a decline in tips, and an alarming 40 percent are facing an increase in sexual harassment from customers. The study surveyed approximately 1,600 restaurant workers in five states, including New York and New Jersey, and recommends that states abolish the tipped minimum wage so service workers do not have to choose between their safety and their pay. “When you get a full wage from your boss, you don’t have to put up with everything from the customers,” said Saru Jayaraman, President of One Fair Wage. [NPR / Debbie Elliott and Emma Bowman]

500,000

Call it the Christmas Cliff: Approximately 500,000 jobless New Jerseyans are set to lose their unemployment benefits on December 26 if Congress fails to pass a new COVID-19 stimulus bill. This includes more than 300,000 gig workers and freelancers covered by the PUA program, as well as 175,000 jobless residents receiving PUAC, which provides an extra 13 weeks of unemployment insurance (UI). In total, more than 12 million residents across the country are set to lose their UI benefits without a new stimulus bill. House Democrats passed a $3 trillion stimulus, the HEROES Act, more than six months ago, but the proposal died in the Republican-controlled Senate. Now, a bipartisan group of lawmakers are negotiating a much smaller stimulus bill that they hope to pass before the end of the year. “We know how much this is going to hurt New Jersey families just after the holidays, so we remain hopeful new federal legislation will be enacted to provide much-needed relief to our state’s workers and small businesses without delay,” said state Labor Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo. [NJ.com / Sophie Nieto-Munoz]

0

Tax the Rich 

Without significantly more aid from the federal government, states will continue to face massive budget shortfalls that endanger investments in public education, transit, the social safety net, and much more. To prevent these damaging cuts and set the foundation for a strong recovery for all, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities recommends states tax the rich by reforming state taxes on income, real estate, capital gains, and inherited wealth. This report is worth a look, as it outlines tangible ways for states to raise revenue from the ultra-wealthy. [Center on Budget and Policy Priorities / Samantha Waxman and Elizabeth Nichol]

Act Now

State lawmakers are expected to vote on the bill to legalize cannabis next week. Use this action page from the ACLU NJ to urge your lawmakers to ensure the final bill centers racial justice and invests revenue from legal cannabis sales in communities harmed by the drug war. [ACLU NJ / Act Now]

Pets of NJPP

Meet Cherry, NJPP Research Director Nicole Rodriguez’s boyfriend’s co-working pup. Cherry is the sweetest pit bull you’ll ever meet. She loves to steal food, chase squirrels, and has been known to eat pet chickens (okay, it was just that one time and Nicole swears it was an honest mistake).

Have a fact or figure for us? Tweet it to @NJPolicy. 

Friday Facts and Figures is a weekly newsletter with data points, analysis, and commentary on the biggest policy debates in New Jersey and beyond​.
Sign up here.

COVID-19 Cases: 350,999 | Deaths: 15,373
[New Jersey Department of Health / COVID-19 Dashboard]

4,913

The second wave is here: On Thursday, New Jersey reported a record-high 4,913 new cases of COVID-19, the highest number of new cases in a day since the start of the pandemic. In the last week alone, 281 residents died from COVID-19, surpassing the number of confirmed deaths reported for the entire months of September and October. Governor Murphy has instructed residents to avoid out-of-state travel unless it’s essential. The state has also banned all indoor organized sports for at least four weeks, and outdoor gatherings are now capped at 25 people. Please be careful out there, remember to wear a mask, and wash your hands. [NJ.com / Matt Arco]

83 Million

According to new data from the Census Bureau, nearly 83 million adults — representing more than a third of all adults in the country — found it difficult to cover usual household expenses over the last seven days. The same survey found that one in six renters are behind on rent. These levels of hardship were both predictable due to the economic fallout from COVID-19 and avoidable had Republicans in Congress voted on the HEROES Act months ago. Instead, tens of millions of families are suffering, with the burden falling hardest on Black and Latinx communities, as well as households with children. Federal lawmakers are currently negotiating a smaller stimulus package, but much more federal relief will be necessary to fund the nation’s recovery and lift millions of families out of poverty. [Center on Budget and Policy Priorities / Arloc Sherman, Chad Stone, Douglas Rice, et al.]

$1,000

The movement to provide COVID-19 relief to immigrants and their families has a new ally: Cardinal Joseph Tobin, the Archbishop of Newark. Earlier this week, Tobin called on state lawmakers to pass A4171/S2480, which would provide one-time payments of $1,000 to immigrant families who were excluded from federal COVID-19 relief. “In these days of the pandemic, we have been using the word ‘essential’ more and more,” Tobin said. “Unfortunately, we rely on essential workers, but we fall short when it is necessary and appropriate to protect and compensate them adequately.” [Patch / Eric Kiefer]

37 Percent

Saturday

On Saturday, NJPP President Brandon McKoy will join government watchdog groups for the launch of the Better Ballots NJ campaign, which will seek to abolish “the line” on New Jersey’s primary ballots. For those not familiar with the issue, the line refers to how New Jersey’s primary ballots organize candidates not by the office for which they are running, but by which candidates were endorsed by the county Democratic or Republican Party. An NJPP report from earlier this year found that the line gives party-endorsed candidates a 35 percentage point advantage in primaries, effectively allowing party insiders — not voters — to determine who wins these elections. Click the link to tune into the campaign launch! [Good Government Coalition New Jersey / Better Ballots NJ]

ICYMI 1

Big congratulations to NJPP Policy Analyst Vineeta Kapahi and NJPP Board Trustee Adriana Abizadeh on being selected as New Leaders Council New Jersey 2021 Fellows! New Leaders Council New Jersey recruits, trains, and promotes 20 young progressive leaders every year. Next year’s fellows class is full of all-star advocates in New Jersey politics, including some NJPP allies from SEIU 32BJ and Make the Road New Jersey. [InsiderNJ]

ICYMI 2

Another big congrats, this time to NJPP President Brandon McKoy on being named to the 2020 New Jersey Globe Power List! Click the link to read the write up. [New Jersey Globe]

Pets of NJPP

Meet Beatrice, NJPP Research Director Nicole Rodriguez’s partner’s roommate’s dog! Beatrice is 7-month old puppy who lived on the streets but now lives in the laps of luxury. She hates going up stairs, but she loves cuddles, belly rubs, and treats. She is also very stylish, as you can tell from her striped mittens (or are they socks?). 

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COVID-19 Cases: 293,744 | Deaths: 14,877
[New Jersey Department of Health / COVID-19 Dashboard]

Reparations 

Thank you to everyone who took action and contacted their representatives in support of a marijuana legalization bill that centers social and racial justice! Over the last week, state lawmakers went back to the drawing board to amend the bill to better reflect these values. As a result, Governor Murphy and Senate leaders reached an agreement on an excise fee for legal marijuana sales — but our work is far from over as the negotiations are fluid and there are still big discrepancies between the Senate and Assembly proposals. In this op-ed from the United Black Agenda (UBA), co-authored by NJPP President Brandon McKoy, New Jersey’s Black social justice leaders outline eight tangible ways the bill could be amended to ensure communities of color and those harmed by the drug war benefit from a legal cannabis industry. The recommendations include directing tax revenue from legal marijuana sales towards reparations, as well as creating an “Equity Applicant” status for cannabis cultivation licenses so people with prior cannabis-related criminal records have an opportunity to break into the new legal market. [NJ.com / United Black Agenda]

28

One big sticking point in the legalization bill negotiations is a proposed cap on marijuana cultivation licenses. The bill from last week set an arbitrary and incredibly low cap on licenses at 28. As NJPP President Brandon McKoy explains here, a cap that low would not only privilege large corporations and shut out equity applicants, but also drive up prices for consumers and thus lower revenue collections that would go toward communities harmed by the drug war. To avoid this, NJPP recommends eliminating the arbitrary cap and enabling the Cannabis Regulatory Commission to determine and award licenses as it sees fit, as well as exempting micro-licenses and conditional licenses from any caps so that equity candidates can truly take part in the legal market. It appears that the Senate leadership supports these changes, but it’s unclear if leaders in the Assembly do. [NJPP / Brandon McKoy]

1994

School funding in New Jersey is back at 1994 levels, according to a new NJPP report by Mark Weber and Bruce Baker. The report, which measures school funding fairness and adequacy, finds that school funding levels have not recovered since the Great Recession, funding is less progressive than it was over a decade ago, and that school districts that spend below their adequacy targets have large shares of students of color. This endangers the future of public education in the Garden State, especially as school districts face mounting economic constraints due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “We need to start thinking now about how we’re going to fund schools now and in the future,” said Dr. Mark Weber, Special Analyst for Education Policy at NJPP.  “There’s just no way this state is going to have a meaningful recovery without well-funded and vibrant schools.” [WHYY / P. Kenneth Burns]

45,600

0

Democratic and Republican Party leaders have made their picks for New Jersey’s redistricting commission and they do not come close to reflecting the true diversity of the Garden State. Of the ten voting members, there are only two women, no women of color, and no Latino representatives. As NJPP President Brandon McKoy writes here, this is a big problem if we want to have a government that is representative of the people. “Rather than continuing to cement a process that benefits political insiders — who are overwhelmingly white men — leaders should have taken the opportunity to include community members who could help produce a more democratic and representative outcome.” [NJPP / Brandon McKoy]

ICYMI

Earlier this week, NJPP was featured on BadCredit.org for our work on economic security issues and ways that public policy can help families reduce their debt. Some of the big takeaways include: tax policy can advance equity if we want it to; focusing on the “skills gap” distracts from important conversations on low wages; and consumers, not employers, drive the state’s economy. [BadCredit.org / Adam West]

Pets of NJPP

It’s been a hectic week in the New Jersey policy world, so we’re featuring two pets this Friday, courtesy of Katie Brennan and Travis Miles! Meet ocean explorer Jacques (left) and his existentialist feminist sibling Simone (right). Jacques Cousteau Briles loves the water, and he spends his days contemplating how climate change and hurricanes will impact low-income communities along the Mid-Atlantic Bight. Simone Du Beauvoir Briles believes that gender is a social construct and that “one is not born a woman, but rather, becomes one.” A lover and a fighter, she contemplates the end of toxic masculinity and the nature of infinity. 

Have a fact or figure for us? Tweet it to @NJPolicy.