Nicole Rodríguez

Freedom from Want: An Economic Guarantee for New Jersey's Kids - New Jersey Policy Perspective Two pathways can dramatically reduce child poverty and ensure all families in New Jersey have what they need through cash assistance programs.

"New Jersey thrives when all residents have dignity, opportunity, and economic security," said @nicolenjpp.bsky.social.

"These proposals show that with political will, we can end child poverty in one of America’s wealthiest states."

Read the full report: www.njpp.org/publications...

Freedom from Want: An Economic Guarantee for New Jersey's Kids - New Jersey Policy Perspective Two pathways can dramatically reduce child poverty and ensure all families in New Jersey have what they need through cash assistance programs.

🚨 New from @ptrchn1.bsky.social 🚨

Despite being one of the wealthiest states, 1 in 8 New Jersey children live in poverty. However, New Jersey has the resources to dramatically cut child poverty through direct cash assistance to families.

Read more: www.njpp.org/publications...

Three New Jersey congressmen just voted to deepen inequality and hurt their own constituents — with no evidence this bill will help anyone, except to make the wealthy even wealthier.

This bill is cruel. This vote is cowardly. And it shows exactly who they’re really fighting for.

The House's cruel budget eliminates vital programs for people around the country and blows an even bigger hole in the state’s budget that lawmakers failed to adequately prepare for.

“This is not just about money — it’s about consequences," said @nicolenjpp.bsky.social. www.njpp.org/media/statem...

Insider NJ 100 Policymakers Power List Nicole Rodriguez, President Alex Ambrose, Policy Analyst? Peter Chen, Senior Policy Analyst Brittany Holom-Trundy, Senior Policy Analyst Marleina Ubel, Senior Policy Analyst

Big congrats to NJPP's ENTIRE research team and President @nicolenjpp.bsky.social on being named to the Insider 100 Policymakers Power List!

www.insidernj.com/insider-nj-p...

Why Are New Jersey's Electricity Bills Going Up, and What Does PJM Have to Do With It? - New Jersey Policy Perspective The primary reason your rates are going up is because of an organization you’ve likely never heard of: PJM.

🚨 NEW REPORT 🚨

PJM’s delays in approving new energy projects and increasing demands from AI data centers are driving up costs for consumers — culminating in an over $20 jump on New Jersey electric bills in just a few days.

Read more from @alexfromnj.bsky.social:
www.njpp.org/publications...

Cruel and Costly House Budget Bill Cuts Health Care for Thousands in New Jersey - New Jersey Policy Perspective House budget bill prioritizes massive trillion-dollar tax break for the wealthiest one percent over health care and food assistance.

The cruel and costly House budget bill prioritizes a massive trillion-dollar tax break for the wealthiest one percent over health care and food assistance.

“Let me be clear, this is not fiscal responsibility — this is fiscal sabotage," said @nicolenjpp.bsky.social.
www.njpp.org/media/statem...

“NJPP calls for a full, independent investigation into Mayor Baraka’s arrest and the legal status of Delaney Hall’s operations. No facility should be allowed to operate without full transparency, oversight, and compliance with public safety and health standards. We also urge federal lawmakers to respect New Jersey’s existing ban on private immigration detention facilities. “As a nonpartisan, research-driven organization, NJPP stands firmly for humane, just, and transparent immigration policies that uphold the dignity and rights of all New Jersey residents.” Nicole Rodriguez, President

NJPP is profoundly alarmed over Mayor Ras Baraka’s arrest. This incident underscores longstanding concerns about the privatization of immigration enforcement and the dangerous lack of accountability that comes with it.

Read the full statement:
www.njpp.org/media/statem...

Join us Thursday in Trenton!!

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka

"Tax Justice means investing in public schools, affordable housing, and reliable infrastructure - not handing out tax breaks to the ultra-rich." Newark Mayor: @rasjbaraka.bsky.social

Madison Linton, NJ Alliance for Immigrant Justice

“Despite New Jersey’s dependency on immigrants for economic, cultural, and social prosperity, our state is swiftly becoming ground zero for immigration enforcement." @njaij.bsky.social 's Madison Linton

"We are here to tell the state legislators that they must protect New Jersey from the enormous cuts to Medicaid and Medicare. We must protect New Jersey’s public healthcare, including University Hospital here in Newark."
@hpae.bsky.social President Debbie White.

"Now more than ever, the Affordable Housing Trust Fund is needed for home construction and rehabilitation — instead of cutting it, state lawmakers should increase it with dedicated funding from fees on million-dollar homes."
Fair Share NJ Managing Director, Al-Tariq Witcher

Nicole Rodriguez, President, New Jersey Policy Perspective

"This is not the time for austerity. It’s a time for courage. We need to make the wealthy pay their fair share. With fairer revenue, we can fund what families actually need — schools, clean air, transit, and affordable homes.”
@nicolenjpp.bsky.social @njpolicy.bsky.social

When we talk about affordability, it's important to ask: affordable for who?

At a time when so many are struggling to make ends meet, we should not be spending our limited resources on programs like StayNJ that disproportionately benefit the wealthy.

StayNJ was supposed to only be funded if we had a 12% surplus. Well, the proposed budget has a 10.8% surplus, which math suggests is less than 12%

So with even shakier fiscal footing, why exactly are we pushing forward with this expensive subsidy that goes disproportionately to wealthy homeowners?

@govmurphy.bsky.social’s commitment to immigrant LGBTQIA+, and women’s rights is what I needed to hear today. We need more lawmakers to stand up for our communities. I hank you for acknowledging those who are trying to erase us. #njbudget2025

 “I will never back down from defending our immigrant families” @govmurphy.bsky.social, Thank you! ICE is terrorizing our communities, using unlawful methods. We will need your support to ensuring safety in our state! #njbudget2025

Last November, @njpolicy.bsky.social proposed a realty transfer fee in a large package of progressive revenue raisers, thanks to great work by @ptrchn1.bsky.social! Now Gov is proposing it in the FY26 budget! One tweak tho, let’s dedicate it to housing. Rising housing costs are hurting lowpaid fams.

@njpolicy.bsky.social , @forthemanynj.bsky.social , and countless others worked hard to advocate for progressive revenue for public transit. Relieved that all the Corporate Transit Fee is being used for just this purpose. Lord knows we need it! #njbudget2025

Thank you @GovMurphy for supporting the increase for Cover All Kids! No matter your legal status, all kids deserve access to affordable health insurance. #njbudget2025

Earned Income Tax Credit, Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit, and the Child Tax Credit gets level funding, which is a cut due to inflation. These are efficient anti poverty programs. BUT they didn’t get cut in this tough budget, so I’ll take that as a win.

While so many people who will be affected by federal and state cuts but StayNJ is still alive. While I appreciate a lot about this budget so far, this doesn’t seem to be in line with affordability to people who are constantly left behind by public policy. #njbudget2025

Federal Funding Cuts Threaten New Jersey’s Residents - New Jersey Policy Perspective Cuts to federal funding for state programs to fund tax breaks for corporations and the ultra-wealthy could harm millions of New Jerseyans.

🚨 New Analysis 🚨

Cuts to federal funding for state programs to fund tax breaks for corporations and the ultra-wealthy could harm millions of New Jerseyans.

Read more: www.njpp.org/publications...

With New Jersey needing billions in new funds to help pay for public services, the state can equitably raise revenue by cracking down on corporate tax avoidance.

It's time for multinational corporations profiting from families’ labor and spending to pay their fair share.

🚨We’re Hiring: Director of Communications!

@njpolicy.bsky.social is looking for a strategic communicator & storyteller to lead our media strategy, amplify our research, and advance bold, progressive policies that make NJ fairer & more equitable.

Join us & make an impact! Apply here: bit.ly/4aMWBh2

A Storied Newspaper Prepares to Print Its Own Obituary (Gift Article) The Star-Ledger, New Jersey’s longtime paper of record, will publish its final edition on Sunday and become an online-only news outlet.

"Since 2005, New Jersey has lost 129 papers, or 58 percent of its print options — more than any state other than Maryland."
From @traceytully.bsky.social:
Explore this gift article from The New York Times. You can read it for free without a subscription. www.nytimes.com/2025/02/01/n...

Honored to be recognized on NJ Spotlight’s Women Power List alongside many incredible women working to make NJ a better, more equitable place. Grateful to be part @njpolicy.bsky.social, where we challenge the status quo, advance bold policy solutions, and push for real change.