🔋💡🔋 New Jersey has around seven million square feet of #datacenter space spread across 50 operational facilities; most of these older centers built for #finance and telecom companies and not the massive new campuses built for #AI systems:

Are Data Centers Raising New Jersey’s Electric Bills? - New Jersey State Policy Lab

A year ago, the New Jersey State Policy Lab funded us to answer a simple question: are data centers raising residential electricity bills in New Jersey? Our research shows the answer is "mostly not ye...

policylab.rutgers.edu

🎖️ The #NJ Assembly introduced legislation to appropriate $2M to expand mental health services for veterans; 🤖 Another bill was introduced that would prohibit defendants from claiming an #AI tool or system "autonomously" harmed their alleged victim. Read more today:

Bill Introduced to Appropriate $2M to Veterans’ Mental Health Services – NJ State Policy Updates - New Jersey State Policy Lab

Public Administration Bill to Display Human Trafficking Notices in Chinese and Korean Passes Committee - On October 22nd, Bill A1408 which was introduced by Assemblywoman Park (D-36) and Assemblyman C...

policylab.rutgers.edu

🤖💻 In PA, when Gov. Josh Shapiro's administration set out to train 175 state employees on how to use #ChatGPT responsibly, the state reported saving an average of 95 minutes when they utilized it for drafting and summarizing lengthy documents:

NJSPL Co-Principal Investigator Gregory Porumbescu Co-Authors Report on Government Officials’ AI Use - New Jersey State Policy Lab

In Pennsylvania, when Governor Josh Shapiro’s administration set out to train 175 state employees on how to use ChatGPT responsibly, the state reported saving an average of 95 minutes when they utiliz...

policylab.rutgers.edu

🔬🧬⚖️ Science and technology are key aspects of many of the social and cultural challenges state governments face on a daily basis, yet there remains a lack of scientific expertise in the legislature. Read out report out today: policylab.rutgers.edu/publication/...

New from Aaron Pressman with the @bostonglobe.com: AI tech is quickly infiltrating the workplace—unless you work for the government. The article discussed findings from a new report from researchers including NJSPL's co-principal investigator, Gregory Porumbescu:

Are local governments, like Boston’s, using AI enough? - The Boston Globe

Nationwide, less than a quarter of government workers use AI weekly, a new survey found, about half the rate in the private sector.

bostonglobe.com

This Thursday, October 22, NJAEYC, Start Strong NJ, and @acnjforkids.bsky.social are bringing families, child care providers, educators, and advocates together in Trenton to call for affordable child care and stronger support for providers.

Today we're sharing a new @policylab.rutgers.edu blog co-authored by CSHP's Joel Cantor and Director Lindsay Shea with colleagues Derek DeLia and Bingxiao Wu. They write about #NewJersey's need for an All-Payer Claims Database to improve #healthcare affordability: go.rutgers.edu/oh1z3opd

🍴 The #NJ Assembly introduced a bill to establish a free breakfast program for all public-school students in the state; ⚖️ Gov. Sherrill announced nominations to serve on the New Jersey Superior Court and Tax Court; read these stories and more today:

Assembly Introduces Free Public School Breakfast Program Bill – NJ State Policy Updates - New Jersey State Policy Lab

Public Administration Governor Sherrill Announces Nominations to State Superior Court and Tax Court - On October 15th, Governor Sherrill nominated three candidates to serve on the Superior Court and o...

policylab.rutgers.edu

🩺🚑 #NJ has the 10th-highest #healthcare per resident but ranks 46th in the nation for the number of primary care providers per 100K residents. In 24 other states, they have instituted All-Payer Claims Databases, which combine detailed data about #insurance enrollment from public and private insurers

Achieving Affordable Health Care in New Jersey Requires Better Data: Other States are Well Ahead - New Jersey State Policy Lab

As a state with a well-educated and high-income population, we should expect New Jersey to have a high-performing healthcare delivery system. In some ways we do. Our average life expectancy is high an...

policylab.rutgers.edu

Happening today: NYT columnist @jamellebouie.net delivers keynote at the 2026 Democracy Forum, held by the @fundfornj.bsky.social, sponsored by the Victoria Foundation, the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, and the RWJ Foundation.

🏘️ A bill was introduced to establish a pre-approved designs for accessory dwelling units for #housing; Gov. Sherrill announced updated findings from the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission #voter registration system error. Read more:

Bill Introduced to Provide $60M in Emergency Aid for Farmers – NJ State Policy Updates - New Jersey State Policy Lab

Housing Bill Introduced to Establish a Pre-Approved Design Guide for Accessory Dwelling Units - On October 5th, Senator Wimberly (D-35) introduced Bill S4764 which would instruct the Department of Com...

policylab.rutgers.edu

🎊 On Monday, the New Jersey State Policy Lab hosted a meet and greet at the #NJ State House to meet with policymakers, legislative staff, and other advocates to discuss their policy priorities and learn more about our work for the Garden State.

🍅🌽🛍️ Will Irving's R/ECON #economic forecast research was cited in a recent article from The Shelby Report discussing the closure of 28 grocery stores in #NJ in the past two years: theshelbyreport.com/2026/10/05/n...

☀️ A bill was introduced to the #NJ Senate to allow NJ TRANSIT/the BPU to establish a 3yr pilot program for railroad #solar energy development; 🚚 the AG announced that NJ would be joining two lawsuits challenging recent changes to vehicle fuel efficiency standards & pollution regulations. Read more:

Legislation Introduced to Allow Solar on Railroad Right-of-Ways – NJ State Policy Updates - New Jersey State Policy Lab

Transportation Bill Introduced to Authorize Municipalities to Reduce Speed Limits in Historic Districts - On October 1st, Senator Singleton (D-7) and Senator Tiver (R-8) introduced Bill S4489 which wo...

policylab.rutgers.edu

🔋⚡💡Gov. Mikie Sherrill's Nuclear Policy Task Force identified public trust and confidence as one of its five primary areas of focus, recognizing that successful #nuclear development requires more than technical and economic considerations for #NJ:

New Jersey Planning Perspectives for New Nuclear Generation - New Jersey State Policy Lab

As the next generation of nuclear reactors is slated for deployment, likely within the next decade, state and federal planners and nuclear facility developers have an important role to play in integra...

policylab.rutgers.edu

🧑‍🏫🎓🍎 New from @njspotlightnews.org: @catcarrera.bsky.social interviewed Executive Director Elizabeth Cooner, Ed.D. to discuss trends in higher education enrollment and achievement in the Garden State: www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/09/qa-o...

🪫 The #NJ Department of Environmental Protection issued a $1.07M fine against DataOne after finding that the #datacenter was operating 62 generators without permits; 🧑‍🏫 the SEHBC approved a 34% premium increase for school districts participating in the #healthinsurance program. Read more:

NJDEP Issues $1.07M Fine on Data Center – NJ State Policy Updates - New Jersey State Policy Lab

Housing Faith-Based Affordable Housing Bill Introduced into New Jersey Assembly - On September 24th, Assemblywoman Reynolds-Jackson (D-15) introduced Assembly Bill A5570, which would authorize $250 mi...

policylab.rutgers.edu

👷🧑‍🏭👨‍⚕️ The #NJ Department of Labor & Office of the Secretary of Higher Education have been in the process of implementing a federal student aid program that could expand access to short-term workforce training, the Workforce Pell:

Understanding Workforce Pell in New Jersey - New Jersey State Policy Lab

Implementation of a federal student aid program is underway that could expand access to short-term workforce training in New Jersey. The Federal Pell Grant is a need-based federal grant that helps eli...

policylab.rutgers.edu

🛶 Happening now 🛶 Researcher Jonathan DeLura is presenting on his recent work examining the relationship between historical water bodies, combined sewer overflow, and flood vulnerability in #NJ at the New Jersey State House.

🖥️ Three bills were introduced to the #NJ assembly to limit #AI usage for the calculation of mortgages, insurance, and wage-setting processes; 🍼 A.G. Davenport announced the state was part of a $384M settlement with Abbott Laboratories over the production of contaminated infant formula. Read more:

Bills Introduced to Regulate AI Usage in Mortgages, Insurance, & Wage-Setting – NJ State Policy Updates - New Jersey State Policy Lab

Digital/Technology Bills Introduced to Regulate A.I. Usage in Mortgages, Insurance, and Wage-Setting - On September 14th, three bills were introduced to regulate the use of artificial intelligence in ...

policylab.rutgers.edu

📰 A new article from Dana DiFilippo with the @newjerseymonitor.com examined the ways some #NJ police departments are utilizing #AI and referenced recent research from NJSPL's researcher, Canyu Gao, with the Rutgers School of Public Affairs and Administration: newjerseymonitor.com/2026/09/17/n...

As police increasingly embrace AI, some wait for regulations and proof it works • New Jersey Monitor

New Jersey has no statewide guardrails on police use of artificial intelligence, but that hasn't stopped cops from using it.

newjerseymonitor.com

📖📚📖 In January, a bill was introduced into the #NJ Senate to create a 3-year pilot summer reading program for second graders reading below grade level. After being tested in the 2024-2025 state proficiency exam, only 44.9% of all NJ third graders were found to be proficient in English language arts:

How Summer Reading Programs Can Support Early Literacy - New Jersey State Policy Lab

Only 44.9% of all New Jersey third graders who took the 2024-25 state proficiency exam were proficient in English language arts. Among low-income third graders specifically, just 28.7% demonstrated re...

policylab.rutgers.edu

🏫 Asw. Annette Quijano introduced a bill to appropriate $500M in funding to establish a ventilation and #energy efficiency grant program for #NJ public schools; 🥩 Asw. Dawn Fantasia introduced a bill to establish meat-processing training courses at county colleges and vocational schools. Read more:

Bill Introduced to Fund School Building Ventilation and Energy Efficiency – NJ State Policy Updates - New Jersey State Policy Lab

Energy & Environment U.S. Circuit Court Revokes Permit for New Jersey Natural Gas Pipeline - On September 8th, the U.S. 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals overseeing Pennsylvania, Delaware, the U.S. Virgin ...

policylab.rutgers.edu

"Even the smallest act of service, the simplest act of kindness, is a way to honor those we lost, a way to reclaim that spirit of unity that followed 9/11." - President Barack Obama #NeverForget 🗽

🎓📚🧑‍🏫 While #NJ ranks tenth in the nation among the top-performing states in #highered attainment, there remains room for improvement, as only 5 out of 21 counties in the state have achieved a 60% postsecondary degree attainment among their residents: policylab.rutgers.edu/publication/...

🔋 Gov. Sherrill signed a new law allowing plug-in or balcony #solar units to be installed in apartments and homes; 💵 #NJ joined 21 other states in a lawsuit filed against #Amazon, alleging the company illegally overcharged advertisers. Read these stories and more:

Gov. Sherrill Signs Balcony Solar Act into Law – NJ State Policy Updates - New Jersey State Policy Lab

Public Administration Governor Sherrill Issues Executive Order Adjusting Judicial Advisory Panel - On August 31st, Governor Mikie Sherrill signed Executive Order 22 replacing four of the eight members...

policylab.rutgers.edu

Every Tuesday, our policy updates provide a weekly opportunity for readers to stay in the know on the latest public policy-related news. On Thursdays, our blogs and reports allow followers to explore research, analysis, and fresh perspectives on policy topics impacting New Jerseyans:

New Jersey State Policy Lab Welcomes 2026 School Year at Rutgers University - New Jersey State Policy Lab

With the start of the 2026-2027 school year, the New Jersey State Policy Lab is excited to announce a new plan for our publishing schedule to make our research and policy insights even easier to follo...

policylab.rutgers.edu

🔋 Gov. Sherrill signed a new law requiring #datacenters report #energy and water use to the #NJ Board of Public Utilities; 👶 the governor also signed legislation updating #PFAS chemical restrictions to include diaper products. Read more here:

Gov. Sherrill Signs Law Requiring Data Centers Report Energy and Water Use – NJ State Policy Updates - New Jersey State Policy Lab

Health New Jersey Expands PFAS Prohibitions to Include Diaper Products - On August 27th, Bill S1281, sponsored by Senator Greenstein (D-14) and Senator Turner (D-15), was signed into law by Governor M...

policylab.rutgers.edu

🏫🎒📚 In #NJ, accessing #childcare and #afterschool programs involve navigating a network of resources, all crucial for connecting families with essential services. Despite the demand, approximately 80% of NJ children remain shut out of afterschool programs, largely due to cost and logistical hurdles:

Afterschool Program Access: Unresolved Issues in a Changed World - New Jersey State Policy Lab

Afterschool programs (ASPs) typically occur during the critical hours of 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. and offer a variety of enrichment activities such as arts, sports, STEM, and other character-building exercis...

policylab.rutgers.edu

🍎🥕🌽 With the implementation of further cuts to #SNAP, over 41,000 New Jerseyans have lost their monthly SNAP benefits. While discussions surrounding food insecurity often emphasize the food deserts, emerging research suggests that affordability is the more significant barrier to healthy eating:

How SNAP Cuts Could Widen New Jersey’s Nutritional Health Gap - New Jersey State Policy Lab

With income being the most prominent variable in nutritional health, losing access to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits can only serve to worsen the nutritional health of margi...

policylab.rutgers.edu