Nicole Rodriguez

Nicole Rodriguez, President, is an experienced public policy leader who advocates for equitable solutions that center communities’ needs with racial, social, and economic justice. Before joining New Jersey Policy Perspective as Research Director, Nicole was senior researcher at Community Labor United (CLU) — an organization that brings community and labor partners together to speak in one voice on issues affecting working families throughout Greater Boston. Nicole drove strategic campaigns with rigorous research and leadership that stabilized and strengthened low-paid families and communities of color. Before that, Nicole worked as senior policy analyst for the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center, an independent research organization that produces nonpartisan policy research, analysis, and data-driven recommendations to improve the lives of low- and middle-income residents and strengthen the state’s economy. Nicole wrote numerous reports focusing on family economic security and the state budget.

Governor Sherrill’s First Budget Showed the Way Forward. Now Comes the Hard Part.

June 30, 2026 • Tax and Budget
Governor Sherrill signed the Fiscal Year 2027 Appropriations Act today. The budget includes increases to revenues, reforms to the Stay NJ senior homeowner subsidy program, and expanded funding for families with children and immigrant households. In response, New Jersey Policy Perspective (NJPP) issues the following statement. Nicole Rodriguez, [...]

NJPP Urges Immediate Action on Delaney Hall and Immigration Enforcement Oversight

June 4, 2026 • Immigrants' Rights
NJPP President Nicole Rodriguez pens an open letter to New Jersey state leadership to take meaningful action to protect immigrant communities.

Sherrill’s First Budget is a Start. Now Comes the Hard Part.

March 10, 2026 • Tax and Budget
Earlier today, Governor Mikie Sherrill delivered her first budget address, unveiling a $60.7 billion proposal for Fiscal Year 2027. The budget includes approximately $700 million in new revenues from closing corporate tax loopholes and nearly $2 billion in spending cuts to address a growing structural deficit. Key proposals [...]

New Jersey Has the Power to Protect Immigrant Communities

January 28, 2026 • Immigrants' Rights
In response to the killing of a Minnesota resident by ICE agents and escalating federal attacks on immigrant communities, New Jersey Policy Perspective issues the following statement: Nicole Rodriguez, President, NJPP: “ICE agents killed Alex Pretti in Minnesota. He was 37, an American citizen, a nurse, someone who [...]

NJPP Statement on Governor Murphy’s Action on Immigrant Protection Bills

January 20, 2026 • Immigrants' Rights
On his final day in office, Governor Phil Murphy signed the Safe Communities Act (A6308) into law but pocket vetoed two companion bills: the Privacy Protection Act (A6309) and a bill to codify the Immigrant Trust Directive (A6310). In response, NJPP releases the following statement: Nicole Rodriguez, President, [...]

“Beautiful” Bill Devastates NJ Families While Delivering Massive Tax Breaks to the Wealthy

July 3, 2025 • Economic Justice, Tax and Budget
Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the final version of President Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” following U.S. Senate approval on June 30. The legislation extends the 2017 tax cuts while adding new ones. It also cuts nearly $1 trillion from Medicaid, with more reductions to food [...]

2026 Budget Leaves NJ Exposed to Billions in Federal Cuts

July 1, 2025 • Tax and Budget
Missed opportunity to raise state revenue leaves families vulnerable to massive reductions in health care and food assistance.

Despite Modest Revenue Increases, NJ State Budget Leaves Residents Exposed to Federal Cuts

June 27, 2025 • Tax and Budget
On June 27, 2025, the state Senate and Assembly budget committees passed another late-night funding bill that increases the state’s structural deficit to about $1.5 billion and reduces cash reserves to nearly $6.8 billion, well below recommended levels to maintain the state’s fiscal health. The bill reduces some [...]

Cruel and Costly House Budget Bill Cuts Health Care for Thousands in New Jersey

May 22, 2025 • Economic Justice, Tax and Budget
House budget bill prioritizes massive trillion-dollar tax break for the wealthiest one percent over health care and food assistance.

NJPP Responds to Arrest of Mayor Ras Baraka

May 9, 2025 • Immigrants' Rights
Oversight and transparency in public policy — especially when human lives are at stake — should never be met with obstruction or criminalization.