John Reitmeyer
@johnreitmeyer.bsky.social
Budget/Finance Writer at NJ Spotlight News
-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 · 2mo 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 · 2mo 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
-NJ's public worker pension fund generated nearly 11% investment returns in FY2025 -A few months ago, the FY2026 returns were once again topping 10% -Then came President Trump's war in Iran, which triggered volatility that threatens to dampen those soaring returns. @njspotlightnews.org
NJ pension fund says Iran war triggered ‘adverse' market reaction | NJ Spotlight News
Time remains to recapture those gains through the fiscal year, though ongoing conflict and the oil supply make for economic uncertainty
njspotlightnews.org
Everyone remembers that excruciating video where @bhulac.bsky.social tried to get U.S. Rep. Tom Kean Jr (R-7th) to answer basic questions during Kean's bid for reelection in 2024. With Kean now MIA in DC, Ben & the @njspotlightnews.org "Hey, NJ" podcast hosts talk all about Kean's ongoing absence.
Where’s Tom Kean Jr. — and what’s going on with NJ’s missing congressman? - NJ Spotlight News
Washington correspondent Benjamin J. Hulac breaks down what we know
njspotlightnews.org
From a big revenue loss to $100M in new expenditures state govt is having to take on, NJ is now feeling the effects of HR 1, the much-debated federal tax and spending law enacted nearly a year ago that President Trump and the GOP Congress called their "Big Beautiful Bill." @njspotlightnews.org
NJ budget challenge: combating fallout from Trump's 'big' law | NJ Spotlight News
Administration 'recklessly slashing critical programs,' says Sherrill, with a spending plan minus hundreds of millions of federal dollars
njspotlightnews.org
Congrats! @pbsnews.org
PBS News@pbsnews.org · 3mo agoPBS News Hour named recipient of a Peabody Award for its coverage of the Trump administration’s changes to U.S. immigration policy during his second term. More on and links to our coverage here: https://to.pbs.org/3QjmJdp Congratulations to our colleagues who contributed to this reporting!
NEWS: Members of Congress are worried about Tom Kean. He is not replying to texts or calls and has not voted in the House since early March. "We just haven’t heard a word." www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/04/radi... @njspotlightnews.org @genesisobando.bsky.social @maddiference.bsky.social
Concerns over congressman’s health during lengthy absence | NJ Spotlight News
Calls and text messages to a missing New Jersey congressman have gone unanswered
njspotlightnews.org
--Trump's approval rating on the economy dropped to 30% in April from 38% in a March AP-NORC poll.--
PBS News@pbsnews.org · 4mo agoPresident Donald Trump's approval rating on the economy has slumped over the past month as the Iran war drives prices higher, according to a new AP-NORC poll, with even Republicans showing less faith in his leadership. https://to.pbs.org/4mISbhb
NEW: ICE and CBP have tens of billions of dollars in reserve. Republicans in Congress want to give them more money -- enough at least to "carry us through the Trump presidency." www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/04/immi... @njspotlightnews.org #ICE #CBP
Immigration agencies have funding for years; GOP seeks more | NJ Spotlight News
Infusion of $140 billion in budget outline would be enough to 'carry us through the Trump presidency,' Graham says
njspotlightnews.org
Crowd at @analiliafornj.bsky.social HQ hearing from Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, longtime union leader Hetty Rosenstein and others as they wait for the main attraction after a very early call by AP. Results: www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/04/11th...
11th Congressional District Special Election Results | NJ Spotlight News
Live results of the election to fill the seat vacated by Gov. Mikie Sherrill until Jan. 3.
njspotlightnews.org
