Marleina Ubel


Marleina Ubel, Senior Policy Analyst, researches the criminal legal system with a focus on alternatives to policing that center restorative justice. Previously, Marleina was NJPP’s 2020-2021 Kathleen Crotty Fellow where she analyzed the state budget process and researched public spending on state and local law enforcement. Marleina began her undergraduate work at Valencia College and earned a transfer scholarship to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she earned a B.A. in Philosophy. As a PIKSI fellow, she spent a summer at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology challenging demographic disparities in institutions of higher learning. In 2021, she earned her M.S.W. in Management and Policy at Rutgers University and served as an Eagleton Fellow in the New Jersey Assembly Majority Office. Marleina lives in Lambertville with her husband and daughter.

New Immigrants Drive Economic Growth in New Jersey

Newly arriving immigrants make significant contributions to New Jersey’s economy through their labor, entrepreneurial endeavors, and tax contributions.

Social Equity Excise Fee Revenue Should Support Those Harmed Most by Cannabis Prohibition

Testimony from Senior Policy Analyst Marleina Ubel before the Cannabis Regulatory Commission in support of equitable distribution of SEEF funds.

Evaluating Governor Murphy’s Budget Proposal for Fiscal Year 2025

The governor’s budget maintains funding for essential public services, but more revenue is needed.

What to Look for in the New Jersey Budget for Fiscal Year 2025

Ahead of Governor Murphy’s budget address, here are eleven ways the next state budget can advance economic justice.

State of the State 2024: Rapid Reaction

The NJPP team reacts to key highlights and omissions in Governor Murphy’s State of the State address.

New Jersey Should Embody Its Values by Supporting Immigrants and Asylum Seekers

As buses of asylum seekers and immigrant families arrive at transit hubs across New Jersey, the focus should be on supporting the most vulnerable among us.

Fines and Fees Disproportionately Harm Low-Income Families

Testimony from NJPP Senior Policy Analyst Marleina Ubel in opposition of imposing a fine for underage drinking.

Civilian Complaint Review Boards Foster Transparency, Fairness, and Safety in Policing Practices

Testimony from NJPP Senior Policy Analyst Marleina Ubel in support of establishing Civilian Complaint Review Boards (CCRBs).

Civilian Complaint Review Boards (CCRBs) Foster Transparency, Fairness, and Safety in Policing Practices

Testimony from NJPP Senior Policy Analyst Marleina Ubel in support of implementing Civilian Complaint Review Boards (CCRBs).

Red Flags Amid a Sea of Green: Breaking Down New Jersey’s FY 2024 Budget

Lawmakers missed a historic opportunity to fix New Jersey's finances by prioritizing short-sighted tax cuts in the new state budget.