Instead of focusing on expenditures, lawmakers should look at the revenue side of the ledger to balance New Jersey's budget and help fix the structural deficit. "There are more revenues that can and should be raised,” said NJPP's @ptrchn1.bsky.social. newjerseymonitor.com/2026/02/26/g...

Governor Sherrill's remarks this afternoon echo NJPP's longstanding concerns about potential cuts due to the state's structural deficit. "NJPP urges the Governor to use all the tools available to close this deficit, including increasing the state’s revenues." www.njpp.org/media/statem...

The Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit are effective programs proven to lift families out of poverty and help them make ends meet. New Jersey can build on this success and expand these programs to help make the state more affordable. www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/02/op-e...

The next step is to make sure the study is done the right way -- which means using modern methods and valid data to inform the setting of the weights and base costs. Here's the latest example: www.njpp.org/publications...

Over the years @schoolfinance101.bsky.social & I wrote many reports for @njpolicy.bsky.social calling for NJ to commission an external cost study to recalibrate the school funding formula (SFRA). I'm happy to report Gov Sherrill's Action Team agrees: www.nj.gov/governor/lib...

Through H.R. 1 ("One Big Beautiful Bill Act"), federal lawmakers are dismantling health coverage supports with actions that will devastate New Jersey families. With federal support disappearing, New Jersey lawmakers must maintain access to affordable, quality care. www.njpp.org/publications...

PJM must do better to lower rates for families who have seen their bills spike — and it can. “We know that if PJM makes certain improvements ... customers can save hundreds of dollars over the next few years,” said NJPP's @alexfromnj.bsky.social. www.roi-nj.com/2026/02/17/i...

Improve family affordability with one weird trick

🚨 New from @ptrchn1.bsky.social 🚨 Thousands more New Jersey families could afford child care, groceries, and rent if state lawmakers expand two proven tax credits: the Child Tax Credit and the Earned Income Tax Credit. Read more: www.njpp.org/publications...

GREAT news! Energy bill increases will be curbed -- at least for now. PJM has agreed to cap energy prices til 2030. This is because of all the work state advocates + governors have done to force PJM to improve! subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2026...

Today we joined @njlcv.bsky.social at the unveiling of their common agenda! I spoke about the need to reform PJM and to hold data center companies accountable for their role in higher electric bills. Together we can make New Jersey affordable for all!

🚨 NEW REPORT 🚨 More than 727,000 New Jerseyans currently lack health insurance, and that number will grow dramatically as Congress eliminates $500 million in marketplace subsidies and imposes new Medicaid work requirements. Read more from @bholom11.bsky.social: www.njpp.org/publications...

A small glimmer of hope: the recently signed federal budget bills include full funding for LIHEAP! LIHEAP helps over 240,000 New Jersey households pay their energy bills, including seniors, people with disabilities, and low income families. www.utilitydive.com/news/federal...

It’s transit equity week, so of course the Trump administration is blocking one of the most important transit projects in the country. “It’s madness here to see the federal government attack jobs, attack the economy, attack affordability.” -Gov Sherrill

As state policymakers convene for leg season, they'll face cutting funding for vital public services or preserving & raising revenue to meet constituents’ needs. @wesleytharpe.bsky.social highlights states that have raised revenues & how they can be a roadmap for others: www.cbpp.org/research/sta...

New Jersey has the power to protect immigrant communities. "We fight for policies that protect immigrant communities and fix our broken criminal justice system because everyone deserves safety, dignity, and the chance to build a life here," said @nicolenjpp.bsky.social. www.njpp.org/media/statem...

ICYMI: The outgoing governor's decision to pocket veto two bills leaves critical gaps in protections for New Jersey's immigrant communities. "Fear of litigation should not prevent New Jersey from enacting the strongest possible safeguards,” said @nicolenjpp.bsky.social. www.njpp.org/media/statem...

🚨 BREAKING: Earlier this morning, @govmurphy.bsky.social signed the Safe Communities Act while allowing TWO OUT OF THREE crucial bills in the immigrant protections package to die on his desk. Shame, shame, shame. 🔗 Read our full statement at bit.ly/statement12026

Governor-Elect @mikiesherrill.bsky.social is inheriting a budget that looks good on the surface, but is actually a fiscal minefield. NJPP Senior Policy Analyst @ptrchn1.bsky.social sat down with @njspotlightnews.org to break down his latest report: youtu.be/gf5RnmknDhU?...

🚨 NEW 🚨 Without sustainable and equitable revenue sources, incoming governor Mikie Sherrill is inheriting a state budget full of fiscal threats — to the tune of $3 billion. Read the full report from @ptrchn1.bsky.social: www.njpp.org/publications...

The World Cup is a great opportunity to evaluate and improve our transit system, especially around MetLife. As I told a reporter once, “It is considered a rite of passage in New Jersey to sit in traffic for two hours after an event at MetLife.” Source: www.nytimes.com/2024/02/09/n... #NJSOTS

I really hope the World Cup and the 250th anniversary celebrations both center around this message: IMMIGRANTS ARE WHAT MAKE OUR COUNTRY GREAT. #NJSOTS

Okay, good self-deprecating NJ Transit joke. Gov Murphy was dealt a BAD hand, and we knew transit wasn’t going to be solved in just one or two terms. The Corporate Transit Fee prevented it from getting worse, but there’s no doubt CEO Kolluri has his work cut out for him. The work continues! #NJSOTS

Actually, I think people in New Jersey are rightly concerned about generative AI because AI data centers are raising our utility bills. That’s why we need guardrails in place now to stop these companies from putting their costs on us. #NJSOTS

I've also criticized the use of state tax credits to fund AI projects with dubious economic benefits and potentially substantial costs: www.njpp.org/publications... The same data centers that drive AI are also driving utility bills through the roof.

That goes double for the film tax credit program. I've written plenty about how these tax credits are a bad deal for states. Hollywood studios and movie stars may be flashy additions, but their track record for helping state economies is shoddy. www.njpp.org/publications...

Murphy highlighting the economic tax credit and corporate subsidy programs. But it's not clear that these subsidies are what's driving New Jersey's economic success. As Murphy notes, the jury's out on how effective these programs have been.

Even with the beautiful wins, we can and need to do better about making NJ better for all communities, especially those left out of opportunities, and under attack from a regime hell bent on hurting humans. We need immigrant trust act bills signed ASAP at the very least. #immigrantsmakenj

Affordability crisis is real. And under @govmurphy.bsky.social, NJ is stronger. Under this admin, we raised the min wage, expanded paid fam leave, reduced incarceration, expanded EITC, created child tax credit, & enacted progressive taxes like millionaires, mansion, & corporate transit fee, & more!

States have real power to improve people’s lives in meaningful ways. Grateful to live in New Jersey and to see what’s possible when that power is used to advance opportunity and equity.

Murphy on immigration: "New Jersey is your home. We have always supported you. And we always will." Let's hope that includes signing the Safe Communities Act and codifying the Immigrant Trust Directive! NJ is a state of immigrants, where immigrants drive Main St business

Lol, angry comment in the NJSpotlight Youtube chat about higher electric bills. A reminder that our higher bills are due largely in part to 1. AI data center demand and 2. PJM dragging its feet on building more energy supply. Learn more here: www.njpp.org/publications... #NJSOTS

Truly one of the shining achievements of the Murphy Administration is his commitment to reproductive freedom. New Jersey is a safe haven for anyone who needs access to reproductive health and it must stay that way. #NJSOTS

Gov Murphy has made important improvements in voting and elections, but there is still unfinished business. The NJ Voting Rights Act couldn't get across the finish line in time, and more needs to be done to limit the role of money in politics.

Yes, gun violence and homicides are down. But in 2024, more people died in vehicle collisions than by homicide. That’s why it’s essential we see implementation of the Target Zero Law in the next administration. The draft action plan is here! >> vtc.rutgers.edu/wp-content/u... #NJSOTS

Gov mentions Stay NJ and the property tax credit programs. But these costs are increasing their fiscal burden on the state. As NJPP has outlined, there are small tweaks that can help Stay NJ fit the "stronger and fairer" mindset by reducing benefits for the wealthy: www.njpp.org/publications...

"We have more millionaires in New Jersey than ever before and more families are calling New Jersey home than ever before." Fact check: TRUE. Fair tax policy and increasing affordability for families are pro-growth policies.

DOUBLING the state minimum wage AND a millionaire’s tax! HUGE accomplishments that predated my time at NJPP, but I’m proud that this organization helped lead those fights to truly make New Jersey more affordable for all. #NJSOTS

Murphy references his own parents, as he has done before -- a bartender and part-time secretary trying to make ends meet. And for working-class New Jerseyans he has largely followed through: raising the minimum wage, expanding paid family and sick leave, and creating the Child Tax Credit

Grateful to attend the final State of the State for @govmurphy.bsky.social. Many hard-fought wins under this administration and Legislature. @njpolicy.bsky.social looks forward to partnering with the @mikiesherrill.bsky.social administration to advance equity for every New Jerseyan!

It’s #NJSOTS time and @ptrchn1.bsky.social and I are going to be live bloosky-ing! What I’m looking for from Gov Murphy’s last address: 🚆 Celebrate Corporate Transit Fee ⚡ Calling on Gov-elect Sherrill to continue affordable energy policies 🚗 Pushing Target Zero policy implementation

One note from the outset -- the governor's slogan of a stronger AND fairer New Jersey was an important one. A STRONG state is not in opposition to a FAIR one. New Jersey is safer and more secure economically when the rich pay their fair share and working-class folks get the help they need

This bill is now on @govmurphy.bsky.social’s desk. Tell the Gov to sign this bill into law to protect regular people like you and I from even HIGHER bills due to data centers!

Charging data centers for their energy use isn't just logical, it helps keep utility bills low. “Having affordable energy is essential, not just for regular ratepayers, but also for small businesses,” said @alexfromnj.bsky.social. www.northjersey.com/story/news/n...

After five years of advocacy, New Jersey has passed critical legislation that strengthens data privacy, protects due process, and ensures all New Jerseyans can safely access essential services without fear of surveillance.

Data centers should pay to offset the cost of the amount of energy they use so everyday New Jerseyans aren't stuck with the bill. "We need guardrails to protect people from higher bills. This is one step in the right direction," said @alexfromnj.bsky.social. newjerseymonitor.com/briefs/nj-bi...

State and local governments have taken steps in undoing harmful criminal fines and fees. However, going into 2026, states face a difficult fiscal landscape, and some may be tempted to turn back to fines and fees to raise revenue. This would be a mistake: www.cbpp.org/research/sta...

don't cite the moving van survey don't cite the moving van survey don't cite the moving van survey don't cite the moving van survey don't cite the moving van survey don't cite the moving van survey don't cite the moving van survey don't cite the moving van survey don't cite the moving van survey

Sports arena subsidies are a bad deal for public investment. "They almost never pay back the promised revenues, and when looking at municipality or countywide revenues, they tend not to make any effect at all,” said @ptrchn1.bsky.social. www.newsfromthestates.com/article/nj-a...

📍 HAPPENING NOW: Our coalition is packing Trenton to ensure our communities are safe and supported across the Garden State. Together, we are building a #NJforALL 💥 Stay updated on the live testimony in the 🧵 ⬇️