Tonanziht Aguas

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.

A Solid First Budget, but New Jersey Still Needs Revenue That Lasts

July 16, 2026 • Tax and Budget
Gov. Sherrill made real progress on the deficit, but the toughest choices are waiting for next year.

Stay NJ Reforms Are a Step Forward — But Renters Are Still Left Out

June 30, 2026 • Tax and Budget
Today the state legislature voted to approve reforms to Stay NJ, a senior homeowner subsidy, lowering the income cap to $200,000 and reducing benefits for higher-income enrollees. This change will maintain benefits for roughly 90 percent of seniors, while targeting the highest benefits of $6,500 for only those [...]

Closing Loophole on Alternative Business Losses for High-Income Individuals Will Save NJ $120 Million Annually

June 28, 2026 • Tax and Budget
New law will shut down deduction for incomes over $1 million, affecting less than 1 percent of tax filers.

Temporary Closure of Corporate “Net Operating Loss” Tax Loophole Will Save State Hundreds of Millions

June 28, 2026 • Tax and Budget
Permanent changes to corporate tax code are needed to prevent revenue loss when net operating loss suspension ends.

Expanded Child Tax Credit Will Help Hundreds of Thousands of Families Afford Cost of Raising Kids in NJ

June 28, 2026 • Economic Justice, Tax and Budget
A 25 percent increase in the CTC will put hundreds of dollars directly into family pockets and should be made permanent.

Governor Sherrill’s First Budget Takes Real Steps Towards Closing Deficit While Helping New Jerseyans Meet Costs

June 28, 2026 • Tax and Budget
More needs to be done to raise revenues to protect affordability for working families in the fiscal year 2027 budget.

Cutting Off Data Center Subsidies Is the Right Move for New Jersey

June 23, 2026 • Climate, Tax and Budget
Testimony from NJPP Senior Policy Analyst Peter Chen in support of ending tax subsidies for data centers driving up costs for New Jerseyans.

A Smarter Stay NJ: The Governor’s Changes Are a Good Start

June 9, 2026 • Economic Justice, Tax and Budget
Gov. Sherrill’s proposed changes would steer relief toward the seniors who need it most, but lawmakers should go further to fix the program’s deeper flaws.

Lossmaxxing: Time To Crack Down on Paper Losses and Restore Corporate Tax Accountability

May 21, 2026 • Tax and Budget
New Jersey’s net-operating-loss deduction cost the state $1.2 billion in 2023, with most of the benefit flowing to fewer than 1,000 large corporations.

Progressive Tax Gains Help, But New Jersey Budget Shortfall Remains

May 19, 2026 • Tax and Budget
On May 19, the New Jersey State Treasurer reported revenues slightly above projections, revising budget forecasts for the upcoming fiscal year and increasing the state’s projected cash reserves. A structural deficit of more than $1 billion remains, signaling a continued gap between the investments the state has promised [...]