John Reitmeyer
@johnreitmeyer.bsky.social
Budget/Finance Writer at NJ Spotlight News
Caskets to culinary? Experts say a Newark mortician’s $700k contract raises school job training red flags. www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/08/how-...
How Whitney Houston's mortician got a $700k Newark school deal | NJ Spotlight News
Critics ask why contract for hotel and food service training was awarded to local go-to embalmer for celebrities and political elite
njspotlightnews.org
"The interest payments on the nation's debt are already larger than what we spend on national defense or Medicare."
PBS News@pbsnews.org · 2w agoTotal public debt hit $40 trillion Wednesday, faster than expected. There is a lot to unpack about the national debt, which is easily misunderstood. Here's a starter guide to what's happening with the national debt right now. https://to.pbs.org/4g8hBmQ
As fare hikes help sustain NJ Transit’s growing annual budget, advocates say it's time to establish a discount program for low-income riders. @njspotlightnews.org
NJ Transit low-income riders need fare discounts, advocates say | NJ Spotlight News
By poverty measures, nearly 2 million New Jersey residents would qualify for the 50% reduction that New York City offers
njspotlightnews.org
For the first time since World War II, the country’s debt is actually larger than the economy itself. Driven by surging federal spending, the government has already borrowed almost $2 trillion in fiscal year 2026 and is on track to borrow even more before the year is over.
This year's budget deficit has almost reached $2 trillion. It's not over yet.
The U.S. has already surpassed its 2025 budget deficit with about a month and a half left to go in its fiscal year. According to the Congressional Budget Office, the government is on track to borrow m...
marketplace.org
New labor data shows the U.S. economy lost 23,000 jobs in July when economists had predicted modest growth. https://to.pbs.org/4wj6QTo
What the July jobs report reveals about the strength of the economy
New labor data shows the U.S. economy lost 23,000 jobs in July, when economists had predicted modest growth. Revised numbers for May and June also show 103,000 fewer jobs created than originally repor...
to.pbs.org
Another good story coming from Ben this week is this in-depth look at what a major freight rail merger could mean for our beloved NJ Transit.
NJ Transit warns: Commuters at risk in proposed freight rail merger | NJ Spotlight News
Two of the nation's biggest haulers, working together, would run more trains and disrupt passenger lines, critics say
njspotlightnews.org
John Reitmeyer@johnreitmeyer.bsky.social · 4w agoIt's the middle of the summer, but my @njspotlightnews.org colleague @bhulac.bsky.social is hard at work on the DC-NJ beat. This story on the proposed rolling back of post-Great Recession banking reforms is an important one. www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/08/bank...
It's the middle of the summer, but my @njspotlightnews.org colleague @bhulac.bsky.social is hard at work on the DC-NJ beat. This story on the proposed rolling back of post-Great Recession banking reforms is an important one. www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/08/bank...
Banking bill is latest step back from financial crash protections | NJ Spotlight News
'Most sweeping deregulation of Wall Street' since Great Recession would boost lenders, put consumers at risk, says House Democrat
njspotlightnews.org
Trump officials want to strip federal rules for Head Start's pre-k programs, saying that would free funds to serve more kids. But experts fear the changes could degrade the programs terribly, putting hundreds of thousands of kids at risk -- including in NJ www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/08/trum...
Trump's Head Start rollback a 'Trojan horse' for pre-K, critics say | NJ Spotlight News
Thousands of New Jersey children at risk of losing instruction hours and teacher-to-student ratio would suffer
njspotlightnews.org
-NJ’s public worker pension fund appears poised to continue a multiyear winning streak. -The fund’s FY2026 investment returns totaled 14%, through the end of May, doubling the assumed rate of return. @njspotlightnews.org
New Jersey pension fund on track to continue winning streak | NJ Spotlight News
Investments may double the targeted rate of return for 2026, defying worries about war in Iran and easing taxpayer pressure
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The last year has been difficult, but I'm also proud of my @njspotlightnews.org colleagues. -Under difficult circumstances, we've grown our following to 72K YouTube subscribers & 17K Instagram followers -We also launched an award-winning podcast -And we're still sending out our AM and PM newsletters
PBS Slashes Budget by 21% After Federal Funding Cuts
The nonprofit will receive less revenue from its members, which are under pressure to make up for shortfalls of their own.
nytimes.com
-Maintaining flush budget reserves is one thing state policymakers can do to manage revenue losses that come with economic downturns. -As inflation and war now threaten to slow economic growth nationwide, NJ's latest annual budget calls for surplus to be used as revenue to support annual spending.
NJ’s new budget dips into surplus, leaving less for emergency need | NJ Spotlight News
'That's not a good savings account,' says Republican assemblyman, as state set to drain reserve fund by well over $1 billion in next year
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Spending is up, but the structural budget gap is a bit smaller compared to this time last year. Don't overlook full pension funding, but COLAs remain suspended, and this year policymakers went backward on last-minute add-ons transparency. @njspotlightnews.org www.youtube.com/watch?v=JA-O...
Breaking down New Jersey's $60.7 billion budget
YouTube video by NJ Spotlight News
youtube.com
Gov. Sherrill signs into law "affordability budget" that calls for record $60.7B spending in FY2027, and a separate appropriations measure that spends another $360M. Budget surplus takes another big hit, will drop to about $6B by June 30, 2027. @njspotlightnews.org
NJ lawmakers rush to get $61 billion in spending signed into law | NJ Spotlight News
Republicans ask: Where is the transparency that governor had promised on millions of dollars in 'Christmas tree' items?
njspotlightnews.org
-For those keeping score, about $61B in new state spending is up for consideration today in Trenton ($60.74B FY2027 appropriations + $360M FY2026 supplemental) -Budget surplus drops from $7.66B to $6.05B at close of FY2027 to help finance expenditures outpacing collections @njspotlightnews.org
Amid budget gap, Democrats advance $360M in new spending | NJ Spotlight News
'This isn't normal. This isn't right,' Republican lawmaker says of dash to move a 358-page budget bill on day it was introduced
njspotlightnews.org
NEWS: Congress scrapped all earmarks last year, a move that cost New Jersey more than $200 million. Now, earmarks are back, and New Jersey is poised to reap the benefits. www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/06/afte... @njspotlightnews.org #NJ #Congress
After a year without, more than $250 million in earmarks for NJ | NJ Spotlight News
From military aircraft control tower design to 'not real sexy' recycling bins for Camden, lawmakers in Congress hail federal funding
njspotlightnews.org
Gov. Sherrill and top NJ legislative leaders say they have a deal that ensures a full pension payment and expanded child tax credit will make it into the final budget for the next fiscal year. But full details of their behind-the-scenes agreement were not disclosed. @njspotlightnews.org
Agreement reached on $60.7 billion NJ budget for next fiscal year | NJ Spotlight News
Sherrill, legislative leaders announce full pension payment, expanded child tax credit, cut in deficit ahead of July 1 deadline
njspotlightnews.org
-NJ's pension fund has shed its stake in a private company operating an ICE facility in Newark -Some lawmakers are pushing to force the pension fund to ditch an investment in another ICE contractor amid hardline immigration crackdown @njspotlightnews.org
NJ pension ditches stake in Geo Group, operator of Delaney Hall | NJ Spotlight News
Palantir Technologies, whose AI is useful to immigration agents, remains in portfolio as critics insist on divestment
njspotlightnews.org
-NJ's state government needs a new budget by July 1 -Lawmakers have yet to introduce the spending bill that needs to pass both houses and get the governor's signature by the deadline -Without a budget, state govt shuts down in the middle of an international soccer tournament @njspotlightnews.org
Days before NJ budget deadline, major spending details unclear | NJ Spotlight News
Even Murphy, a Democrat, wanted more scrutiny of lawmakers' last-minute requests, and a Republican bill would increase transparency
njspotlightnews.org
"(C)onsumer prices in May were up 4.2% from a year ago. That's the biggest annual increase since April of 2023. By contrast, the Labor Department says average wages have risen only 3.4% over the last year, so workers' real spending power has declined."
NPR@npr.org · 3mo agoInflation has surged to its highest level in more than three years since the U.S. and Israel launched their war on Iran, triggering a surge in gasoline prices. n.pr/4oiHyCt
-Gov. Sherrill’s proposed state budget flat funds NJ’s 988 suicide prevention hotline at a time when demand is rising. -Some lawmakers say the system needs more funding and they still want to establish a tax on phone lines to bring in dedicated, additional revenue for NJ's 988. @njspotlightnews.org
Will NJ’s 988 crisis hotline get more state funding, dedicated tax? | NJ Spotlight News
Mental health service could broaden with bigger budget infusion, though governor is mindful of affordability
njspotlightnews.org
-NJ farmers face some of the highest operating costs in the nation, including property taxes and labor. Now fuel and fertilizer prices are way up due to President Trump's war in Iran, adding to the financial strain. @njspotlightnews.org
Cost of fuel, fertilizer leaves NJ farmers facing 'financial strain' | NJ Spotlight News
On top of rising costs, farmers have had to contend with volatile spring temperatures that resulted in widespread damage to crops
njspotlightnews.org
"This large support is consistent across every demographic group, never dropping below 75% in any key demographic."
John Reitmeyer@johnreitmeyer.bsky.social · 3mo agoAs we await introduction of the FY2027 spending bill . . . Eight out of 10 NJ voters surveyed for this Rutgers-Eagleton Poll favor ending the practice of adding new spending to the state budget in the final days before a vote on its adoption.
As we await introduction of the FY2027 spending bill . . . Eight out of 10 NJ voters surveyed for this Rutgers-Eagleton Poll favor ending the practice of adding new spending to the state budget in the final days before a vote on its adoption.
eagletonpoll.rutgers.edu
"Raise your hand if you think New Jersey already has too much traffic . . ." @njspotlightnews.org
Understanding rising gas prices, from taxes to Iran War | Hey, NJ | NJ Spotlight News
John Reitmeyer and Benjamin J. Hulac discuss the political and economic implications of suspending the gas tax
njspotlightnews.org
It is truly a pleasure to collaborate with talents like @colleenodea.bsky.social and @bhulac.bsky.social on stories that attempt to go deep on key issues. @njspotlightnews.org "Where Issues Matter"
Earmarks flood Democratic strongholds. Can Sherrill cut off her party? | NJ Spotlight News
As lawmakers ready hundreds of millions of dollars in budget requests, one grant process shows what happens when all applicants have a shot
njspotlightnews.org
More than 230 U.S. schools, including about 15 in NJ in the past few years, paid thousands for private “Blue Ribbon” awards. For more on what sparked this investigation, listen to our podcast: Is your kid’s Blue Ribbon school what you think it is? www.njspotlightnews.org/podcast/hey-...
Purchased prestige: Is your kid's Blue Ribbon school what you think it is? | NJ Spotlight News
Urban education writer Julie O'Connor discusses her reporting, New Jersey's response and the implications
njspotlightnews.org
Summer financial aid, student teacher stipends, and operating aid for higher education institutions across New Jersey are at stake in Gov. Sherrill’s budget proposal for fiscal year 2027.
College summer aid cuts may harm students for life, educators say | NJ Spotlight News
As state confronts $ 3 billion budget gap, Republican lawmaker says both parties agree that program has value
njspotlightnews.org
