The ABCs of a Rule Change – How the DOL Could Upend Freelancing in New Jersey
New Jersey is considering a rule that could seriously limit how organizations — especially smaller ones — work with freelancers, part-time contributors, and even volunteers who receive an occasional stipend. The rule, proposed by the Department of Labor, is based on what’s known as the “ABC test,” a legal standard used to decide whether someone should be treated as an...
Medicaid Cuts, Forced Treatment…The Resurgent War on the Poor & What’s Coming for NJ’s Vulnerable
-John Migueis I’ve lived in New Jersey my whole life, and I’ve come to see this state as one strange neighborhood—a dysfunctional family, but still a family. With all it’s defects, I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. I love NJ, I love saying I’m from NJ and I feel really fortunate to be able to raise my kids here....
Understanding the Real Battle Over Your Energy Bill…New Jersey v. PJM
Governor Phil Murphy and other state leaders didn’t mince words after PJM Interconnection released its latest auction results. They said the outcome shows a system that rewards profit and outdated infrastructure, while leaving regular people with bigger utility bills. Analysts are raising red flags too. PJM’s costs for making sure there’s enough electricity on hand jumped from $2.2 billion to...
State Mandates Full-Day Kindergarten by 2029 … What Local Districts Are Doing Now
From Pre-K rollouts to school reconfiguration, Chatham and New Providence face the growing pains of a changing New Jersey – with Berkeley Heights as a cautionary tale. NJ schools are undergoing some makeovers, but not the infrastructure upgrades so many public schools desperately need. While some districts are rolling out phased approaches to manage the inevitable influx of students, many...
What 10 Years of Wage Data Tell Us About Living in New Jersey
Over the past decade, wages in New Jersey have gone up—but in many cases, not enough to keep pace with the rising cost of living. NJ21st looked at state and federal labor data to see how different industries have fared since 2013, adjusting for inflation using local cost-of-living data from the New York–Newark metro area. Some sectors did well. Others,...
Murphy’s Berkeley Heights Stop Raises Questions on Housing, Flood Policy
The response to Governor Phil Murphy’s July 15th visit to Berkeley Heights was swift — and overwhelmingly critical on social media. Many residents questioned the value of the visit, calling it an empty gesture in light of the state’s policies on affordable housing and environmental regulation. A recurring theme in local online discussions was criticism of Trenton’s recent policy shifts....
Governor Murphy Visits Berkeley Heights After Deadly Storm Hits Union County
Governor Phil Murphy visited Berkeley Heights on Tuesday following a fast-moving storm that caused serious damage across parts of Union and Somerset counties. Speaking alongside local officials and first responders, Murphy described the impact bluntly: “We got crushed.” He confirmed that two people died during the storm, including someone in a vehicle that was swept away. Some injuries were reported...
Statewide Justice Trends – Visualizing New Jersey’s Prison Landscape
Beyond the raw figures of New Jersey’s justice system are countless individual lives, each deeply shaped by everything from where they grew up to their racial background. This report, using the most recent data from March 2025, may be a starting point in understanding how poverty and entrenched inequalities determine who ends up in prison and for how long. While...
Providing Complete Board Transparency by Modifying The “OPMA” Definition Of “Agenda”
Michael Gottesman is the Founder of New Jersey Public Education Coalition. This Contribution was written as a response to ‘Another Marathon BOE Meeting Reveals Clear Lines Between Board Factions‘ Throughout our state, as a result of the politicization of local Boards of Ed and major controversies being addressed at this time, BOEs have been making it increasingly more difficult for...
From Social Services to Software: A Breakdown of NJ State Vendor Spending
New Jersey spent more than $3.1 billion on vendors during Fiscal Year 2024 — paying for everything from social services and environmental cleanup to consulting contracts and IT infrastructure. But who got paid, how much, and by which agency? Thanks to data published by the New Jersey Department of the Treasury available through NJ’s Open Data Portal, the public can...
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