Category: Statement

Rising Uninsured Rates Demand Urgent State Action on Health Coverage

Posted on by Brittany Holom-Trundy

The number of New Jerseyans without health coverage has drastically increased as pandemic-era protections have wound down and new barriers to coverage have been constructed. Data released today from the 2024 American Community Survey reveals access to health insurance has gotten harder for the people who need it the most. In response, NJPP releases the following statement:

Brittany Holom-Trundy, Research Director, NJPP:

“Health insurance coverage gaps widened significantly in 2024, with uninsured rates rising from 7.2% to 7.7% according to today’s 2024 American Community Survey health insurance data. This confirms our concerns: As the pandemic’s lessons about access to affordable coverage have been left behind, barriers to health insurance have grown worse, especially for those with the lowest incomes.

“Most alarming, the end of Medicaid protections especially harmed families living in poverty, leaving them without coverage or access to care. Low-income households saw their uninsured rates jump from 13.8% to 17.7%.

“While New Jersey has taken important steps to improve access, such as the Cover All Kids program, these efforts have not addressed all gaps in the system. Combined with the coming federal Medicaid cuts, this data shows that the state urgently needs to expand coverage programs and ensure that all residents (regardless of age, race, gender, immigration status, disability, or employment status) have access to affordable coverage.”

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Federal Court Puts Profit Over People

Posted on by Marleina Ubel

In a deeply concerning decision, the court today sided with private prison company CoreCivic in the CoreCivic v. Murphy case, striking down New Jersey’s ban on for-profit immigration detention. The ruling permits private detention facilities to continue operating in the state, despite overwhelming public opposition and legislative action aimed at ending the practice. New Jersey’s 2021 law banning new, renewed, or expanded contracts with private immigration detention facilities was a milestone in the fight for a more humane and accountable system. CoreCivic’s legal challenge centered on claims that the law interfered with federal immigration enforcement, despite mounting evidence of abuse, neglect, and exploitation in privately run detention centers. In response, NJPP releases the following statement:

Marleina Ubel, Senior Policy Analyst, NJPP:

“This ruling sets a dangerous precedent — one that allows corporations like CoreCivic to prioritize profits over people while operating little transparency or accountability. By effectively ruling that corporate interests supersede state authority to protect public health and safety, the court has undermined New Jersey’s efforts to protect people from the documented harms of for-profit detention.

“Despite today’s ruling, the pursuit of human rights and justice must continue. New Jersey still has the opportunity — and the responsibility — to lead the nation in protecting people from the systemic harms of private detention through enhanced oversight, transparency requirements, and continued advocacy for federal reform.

“NJPP calls on state leaders and federal policymakers to strengthen oversight of detention facilities, close legal loopholes that allow corporate exploitation, and continue working toward the permanent end of for-profit detention. We will not stop fighting for a system that upholds human dignity over corporate profit.”

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NJPP Supports Bipartisan Governor Group Calling On PJM to Reform

Posted on by Alex Ambrose

This week, a bipartisan group of nine Governors within the PJM region sent a letter to the PJM Board of Managers urging the Board to make certain reforms. The letter requests approving new Board members put forward by the states, meeting with the governors during the July 23 member meeting, and creating a formal group of PJM governors. The letter ended with a commitment from the governors to work with PJM to deliver affordable and reliable power. The letter comes just after the July 2025 PJM capacity auction closed and before the auction results are announced.

In response to this letter, New Jersey Policy Perspective issues the following statement:

Alex Ambrose, policy analyst, NJPP:

“PJM has had years to create a more transparent voting process, improve its governance, and lower customer bills. Instead, New Jersey families are stuck paying even more for electricity. Governor Murphy and his allies aren’t only asking for a seat at the table — they are asking for a working relationship. The message they are sending is loud and clear: this is PJM’s chance to change from being a barrier to affordable, reliable energy to becoming a partner instead.”

Read more about New Jersey’s rising energy rates.

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

Posted on by Nicole Rodriguez

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 assistance for the poor and other government aid.

In response to the bill, NJPP released the following statement.

“This harmful and irresponsible bill threatens New Jersey families by cutting funding for essential programs like health care, food assistance, and housing — programs that hundreds of thousands of residents rely on to stay healthy, fed, and housed.

“The health care cuts alone with devastate New Jersey families. Hundreds of thousands of New Jerseyans will either lose their health insurance or face much higher coverage costs. Around 227,000 New Jerseyans will be kicked off Medicaid as they face overwhelming red tape in getting and keeping their coverage. Another 454,000 residents will pay higher premiums through GetCovered NJ. These cuts will hurt working families, older adults, and people with disabilities the most.

“Food programs will also take a major hit. Over 800,000 residents receive food assistance through SNAP, and about 712,000 children rely on the national school lunch program. Reducing this support will increase food insecurity, worsen health outcomes, and put more pressure on schools, food banks, and community organizations.

“Housing costs are already crushing Garden State families. With 51 percent of New Jersey renters spending over 30 percent of their income on rent — already a heavy burden — cutting federal housing assistance will push more people into a housing crisis, especially in a high-cost state like ours.

“This is not just about doing what’s right — it’s about real consequences. Every dollar cut by Congress creates a deeper hole in New Jersey’s already woefully weak safety net and a bigger bill for the state to cover. The timing couldn’t be worse: New Jersey lawmakers just finalized the Fiscal Year 2026 budget and did not plan for these huge federal cuts.

“Meanwhile, the bill delivers massive tax breaks to the wealthy. The top 5 percent of earners in New Jersey — those making more than $471,200 a year — will receive 33 percent of all tax cuts, totaling more than $5.1 billion. But the bottom 20 percent of earners will receive just 1 percent, or about $167 million. This is a deeply unfair approach that benefits the rich while shifting risks and costs onto everyone else.

“New Jersey can’t afford to follow Washington’s lead. Lawmakers must protect vital services — and raise revenue fairly to protect the people hit hardest.”

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Coalition Slams Trump’s “Beautiful” Attack on Working Families

Posted on by NJPP Staff

“There’s nothing beautiful about ripping health care away from millions while handing billionaires a massive tax break.

“Trump’s so-called One Big Beautiful Bill is a direct attack on working families, seniors, immigrants, and communities of color. It’s nothing but a massive giveaway to the ultra-rich, and New Jersey deserves better.

“This bill kills. It bankrupts. It robs our future to enrich the few.

“While billionaires get nearly $300,000 in tax cuts, working families get $160. While the wealthy celebrate, 16 million Americans lose health coverage. While the President’s friends cash in, children lose school meals and families lose their doctors.

“This isn’t reform — it’s robbery.

“Three New Jersey Representatives abandoned the Jersey values that say we look out for each other. Instead Reps Tom Kean Jr, Chris Smith, and Jeff Van Drew catered to wealthy donors and directives from the White House over the needs of their constituents.”

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For The Many NJ is a statewide coalition of more than 40 organizations working to expand funding for essential services and improve budget practices to meet current and future needs, especially for communities that have been historically left behind.

2026 Budget Leaves NJ Exposed to Billions in Federal Cuts

Posted on by Nicole Rodriguez

Governor Murphy signed the Fiscal Year 2026 Appropriations Act today, approving funding levels for the next twelve months, but the state still faces a financial cliff. The approved budget includes modest revenue increases, though not enough to cover the full cost of the state’s spending. This leaves the state with a nearly $1.5 billion gap that must be filled from its cash reserves, which have dwindled to $6.7 billion. Cash reserves that once provided a safety net now cover barely one month of operations.

Making matters worse, the state faces additional funding threats from federal actions. With New Jersey receiving nearly $30.8 billion in federal funds in fiscal year 2024, Congress’s expected vote on massive cuts to Medicaid and food assistance programs could devastate both the state’s finances and the hundreds of thousands of residents who depend on these services.

In response, NJPP issues the following statement.

Nicole Rodriguez, President, NJPP:

“Over the past seven years, Governor Murphy has taken great steps to put the state back on strong financial footing. He achieved full funding of the school funding formula and the state’s pension payments, restored the state’s credit ratings, and refilled the state’s cash reserves to protect against unexpected economic downturns. But this legacy is now at risk, with potentially catastrophic federal cuts to Medicaid and food assistance being approved by Congress and a state budget that still does not raise enough revenue to cover its expenses.

“The Governor and the legislature have worked to ensure that the budget reflects new revenue sources focused on the wealthy and powerful. With the addition of critical revenue sources such as the millionaire’s tax on households with income over $1 million, the corporate transit fee on big businesses, and now an expanded realty transfer fee on property sales over $2 million — each an NJPP priority — the state’s leaders have raised revenues to help fund the critical programs that make New Jersey a great place to raise a family or start a business.

“Unfortunately, more needs to be done to protect the state from the economic challenges ahead. With New Jersey receiving nearly $30.8 billion in the last fiscal year, cuts from Washington will create a devastating double impact — harming the state’s finances while directly hurting New Jersey residents by kicking them off health insurance or denying them access to food. New Jersey can and should show the way forward for the country by ensuring that its residents are protected from these harmful federal actions. But to do so, the state will need more revenue and bold action to ensure that the state’s dollars go to help those who need it most. Simply transferring money from other accounts for one-year fixes does not provide the base for long-term investments that the state needs.

“This budget’s legacy depends on what happens in Washington. It represents a missed opportunity for the state to take bold, decisive action to protect its residents by raising revenue ahead of time to limit the damage of federal cuts. New Jersey’s leaders must act quickly to protect residents from the financial storm ahead.”

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Budget Decision Blocks Justice for Communities Hit Hardest by Drug War

Posted on by Marleina Ubel

Communities still waiting for justice from cannabis legalization suffered another setback today as the state Senate and Assembly passed an appropriations bill that increases the state’s structural deficit while rejecting the Governor’s proposal to raise the Social Equity Excise Fee (SEEF). This initiative would have raised much-needed revenue for the communities who need it most.

In response, NJPP releases the following statement:

Marleina Ubel, Senior Policy Analyst, NJPP:
“It is deeply disappointing that the Fiscal Year 2026 budget does not include the Governor’s proposal to increase the Social Equity Excise Fee (SEEF) to 15 percent. This omission represents a missed opportunity to make meaningful investments in the very communities that were most harmed by the War on Drugs.

“The SEEF was created with a clear purpose: to provide direct support and help rebuild communities that have suffered under unfair and discriminatory drug policies. By failing to raise the fee, we are choosing not to fully achieve that vision. The proposed increase would have strengthened New Jersey’s commitment to equity and justice, allowing more funding to flow into programs and services that can truly make a difference.

“This is not just a matter of money — it is about making things right. We urge lawmakers to revisit this issue and move forward with a fee increase that honors the SEEF’s mission and maximizes its impact.”

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Rush to Expand Film Tax Credits Leaves Average New Jerseyans Behind

Posted on by Peter Chen

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 bill would increase credit amounts for certain projects and loosen accountability requirements. In fiscal year 2026, even without these changes, this program is estimated to cost the state nearly $250 million.

In response, NJPP issues the following statement.

Peter Chen, Senior Policy Analyst, NJPP:

“Passing yet another expansion of the film tax credit program to subsidize Hollywood studios, at a time when low- and middle-income families are struggling with day-to-day costs, locks the state even further into an ever-more-expensive waste of money with no end in sight. With added bonuses, the state government will be subsidizing some productions at nearly half of their total expenses, all while the bill limits the state’s ability to get those credits back if the productions fail to deliver on their promises of economic growth.

“With the state running a structural deficit, lawmakers need to think about how to increase revenue to protect New Jerseyans from future cuts and recessions, not dream up new ways to give big corporations hundreds of millions of dollars to boost their private profits. Families in New Jersey need financial help today, not celebrity cameos.”

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

Posted on by Nicole Rodriguez

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 of Governor Murphy’s proposed revenue increases, while eliminating other proposals entirely.

In response to the bill, New Jersey Policy Perspective (NJPP) released the following statement.

Nicole Rodriguez, President, NJPP:

“Lawmakers continued to ignore federal revenue cuts coming for Medicaid and food assistance and failed to protect the much-needed cash reserves to help the state protect its residents. While other states build up their savings to help smooth the potentially devastating cuts, the state’s political leadership chose instead to conduct business as usual in Trenton, putting off difficult decisions until later in the year when options will be limited and revenue will be harder to raise.

“Although the budget contains important revenue increases, such as the reformed realty transfer fee, the compromise versions raise less than the governor’s original proposals, without additional revenue to make up for it. Despite countless warnings from state officials, advocacy groups across all issues, and individuals who need programs like Medicaid to survive, this appropriations bill leaves the state poorly prepared to protect its residents from the crisis to come.”

Read more about the effects of federal funding cuts on New Jersey.

Read more about the state agencies that receive federal funding.

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

Posted on by Peter Chen

On June 26, 2025, the Senate and Assembly budget committees approved an expansion of the realty transfer fee on property transactions over $2 million in value (A5804/S4666). Currently, property sales that are $1 million or more are charged a fee of one percent of the total sale price. This bill would increase that amount to 2% for sales over $2 million, with the percentage increasing with each $500,000 in sale price, up to 3.5% for sales over $3.5 million.

This proposal aligns with an NJPP report in fall 2024 calling for an increase in the realty transfer fee on high-priced property sales.

In response, New Jersey Policy Perspective issues the following statement.

Peter Chen, Senior Policy Analyst, NJPP:

“At a time when so many households are struggling to afford the cost of living in New Jersey, this modest increase in the realty transfer fee will provide critical revenue for the state’s budget, while only affecting the top three percent of property sales statewide. These much-needed revenues should go towards making the state more affordable for low- and moderate-income households and supporting affordable housing options for New Jerseyans. Expanding the fee on high-priced property sales ensures that the state’s wealthiest residents and large corporate landholders, rather than low- and middle-income households, contribute their fair share.”

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