Peter Chen

Peter Chen, Senior Policy Analyst, has worked on child and family policy advocacy in New Jersey since 2014. Most recently, he coordinated New Jersey’s nonprofit campaign for a complete count of the 2020 Census. Additionally, Peter has written reports on topics including: childhood lead poisoning prevention, chronic absenteeism from school, teacher certification, and summer meals. Prior to New Jersey Policy Perspective, Peter was Policy Counsel at Advocates for Children of New Jersey, where he also served as a Skadden Fellow from 2014-16. Peter received his JD from Yale Law School and his Bachelors of Arts from Indiana University-Bloomington. He served as a law clerk for Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson of the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

Five Budget Time Bombs Facing the Next Governor

January 15, 2026 • Tax and Budget
Without sustainable and equitable revenue sources, incoming governor Mikie Sherrill is inheriting a state budget full of fiscal threats.

New Jersey Should Reject Unjustified Giveaways to Sports Teams and Big Business

January 5, 2026 • Tax and Budget
Testimony from Senior Policy Analyst Peter Chen opposing the expansion of tax subsidies that benefit private corporations and individuals.

State Tax Credits Should Benefit the State, Not Just Private Businesses

January 5, 2026 • Tax and Budget
Testimony from Senior Policy Analyst Peter Chen opposing loosening restrictions on the net benefits test for Aspire transformational projects.

Protecting New Jersey’s Immigrants Keeps the State’s Communities and Main Streets Thriving

January 5, 2026 • Immigrants' Rights
Testimony from NJPP Senior Policy Analyst Peter Chen in support of protecting New Jersey's immigrant families.

Gutted: New Jersey’s Shrinking Public Workforce

November 10, 2025 • Economic Justice
The state has eliminated nearly 20,000 positions even as population has grown, leaving residents with worse service and higher costs.

Freedom from Want: An Economic Guarantee for New Jersey’s Kids

September 10, 2025 • Economic Justice
Two pathways can dramatically reduce child poverty and ensure all families in New Jersey have what they need through cash assistance programs.

State Lawmakers Should Protect Residents from Federal Cuts to Vital Services

August 7, 2025 • Economic Justice, Tax and Budget
NJPP Research Team pens an open letter urging state lawmakers to take steps toward protecting vital programs facing federal cuts.

Sleepwalking into Catastrophe

July 8, 2025 • Tax and Budget
NJPP's research team evaluates whether Governor Murphy's final budget proposal sufficiently advances economic, social, and racial justice.

Rush to Expand Film Tax Credits Leaves Average New Jerseyans Behind

June 30, 2025 • Economic Justice, Tax and Budget
Today the state legislature voted to approve a bill (A5827/S4618) that would continue expanding the New Jersey film and digital media tax credit. This program provides subsidies directly to film studios to make movies and television programs in New Jersey, covering up to nearly half their costs. The [...]

Raising Revenue from Expensive Property Sales Will Help Make Housing More Affordable for All

June 27, 2025 • Economic Justice, Tax and Budget
Congress must reject a proposal that would strip Child Tax Credit benefits from one in 11 children in New Jersey.