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.

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.

Course Correction: Preserving Senior Housing Affordability While Cutting Costs

June 17, 2025 • Economic Justice, Tax and Budget
With changes to the current program, Stay NJ can become more fiscally sustainable while helping seniors in most need of housing assistance.

Economic Development Tax Credits Should Provide Positive Net-Benefits to New Jersey’s Communities

June 16, 2025 • Tax and Budget
Testimony from NJPP Senior Policy Analyst Peter Chen in support of added statutory guardrails and accountability to tax credits for economic development projects.

House Tax Plan Would Strip Child Tax Credit from 180,000 New Jersey Children, NJPP Warns

May 15, 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.

Progressive Tax Gains Help, But New Jersey Budget Shortfall Remains

May 14, 2025 • Tax and Budget
Despite higher-than-expected revenues, a structural budget shortfall of approximately $1 billion remains for New Jersey.

Federal Medicaid Reductions Would Have Disastrous Effects on New Jersey’s Communities

May 6, 2025 • Economic Justice, Health
Testimony from NJPP Senior Policy Analyst Peter Chen in support of protecting federal Medicaid spending and balancing state funds.

A LI“HEAP” of Trouble: Slashing Federal Utility Assistance Will Hurt New Jersey Seniors, Families, and Working-Class Households

April 23, 2025 • Economic Justice
Ahead of record-high energy costs expected this summer, lawmakers must protect energy assistance for New Jersey's low-income families.

End the Unjust Subminimum Wage for Tipped Workers

April 10, 2025 • Economic Justice
Testimony from NJPP Senior Policy Analyst Peter Chen in support of eliminating subminimum wage for tipped workers.