In this episode, we’re joined by Charles Steindel Ph.D, who recently authored a report for GSI titled “New Jersey’s Film Tax Subsidy: Is it Worth it?”, which argues that the state’s much-ballyhooed film tax credit subsidies will never generate the economic growth sufficient to cover their cost.

Dr. Steindel is a contributor of analysis on economic issues and government data reports for GSI and most recently served as a Resident Scholar of the Anisfield School of Business at Ramapo College. He was previously Chief Economist of the New Jersey Department of the Treasury and, previously, a Senior Vice President at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. 

Janet Yellen, former Chair of the Federal Reserve Bank, and current Secretary of the Treasury, said “Charles Steindel is a pro. He guided the Federal Reserve for decades on the interpretation of U.S. economic statistics.”

In this episode, we dive deep into the pressing issue of New Jersey’s underfunded teacher pension system. Joining us are Danielle Zanzalari, an Assistant Professor of Economics at Seton Hall University, and E.J. McMahon, Adjunct Fellow at the Manhattan Institute for Policy Research.

Together, they present a groundbreaking report, “ABP: A Smarter Retirement Plan for New Jersey Teachers (and Taxpayers),” which proposes a radical solution: introducing a Defined Benefit Model (DBM) as an alternative to the existing Defined Contribution Model (DCM).

Zanzalari and McMahon argue that the current system is failing teachers and taxpayers alike. By offering teachers more choice in their retirement planning, the DBM can address the teacher shortage, improve pension fund solvency, and alleviate New Jersey’s fiscal woes.

Learn more about the benefits of the DBM, the challenges of the current system, and the potential impact on both teachers and taxpayers. Tune in to this insightful discussion and discover how New Jersey can create a more sustainable and equitable retirement future for its educators.

In this series, GSI traveled to the State House in Trenton for one-on-one interviews with legislators, business leaders, and members of the press to discuss Governor Murphy’s latest budget proposal and GSI’s recent report, New Jersey’s Fiscal Cliff Explained. 

In this episode, Regina Egea speaks with NJ Assembly Minority Leader John DiMaio regarding Governor Murphy’s most recent state budget proposal. DiMaio notes that the proposed $54 billion budget should be revised to better serve the needs and interests of the people of New Jersey, specifically criticizing that the budget won’t address property taxes.

DiMaio proposes solutions including revisiting tax brackets and cutting unnecessary spending, and highlights that the state should not increase spending, but look for fiscal efficiencies. With state revenue trending down and spending going up, DiMaio suggests cutting the $1.5 billion increase that was added in the final days of the last budget process.

In this series, GSI traveled to the State House in Trenton for one-on-one interviews with legislators, business leaders, and members of the press to discuss Governor Murphy’s latest budget proposal and GSI’s recent report, New Jersey’s Fiscal Cliff Explained. 

In this episode, Regina is joined by Eileen Kean, the State Director for the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB), which is the largest small business association in New Jersey, with over 150,000 members.

Kean highlighted Governor Murphy’s budget proposal – specifically tax increases that would significantly impact small businesses and consumers throughout the state.

She raised concerns about the current direction of the state’s energy policy and noted the lack of collaboration between NJ state leadership and the business community – as she expressed NFIB’s hopes for increased dedication to the needs of small businesses.

In this series, GSI traveled to the State House in Trenton for one-on-one interviews with legislators, business leaders, and members of the press to discuss Governor Murphy’s latest budget proposal and GSI’s recent report, New Jersey’s Fiscal Cliff Explained. 

In this episode, Regina is joined by NJ Senator Doug Steinhardt for a discussion about New Jersey’s significant budget challenges including both high taxes and spending. The conversation highlighted the problem with “budget gimmicks” that fail to address the real problem of spending exceeding revenue.

Steinhardt also raises alarms on school funding, NJ’s outmigration, rising cost of living, and some challenges with the Highlands Act facing residents- and especially farmers- in Hunterdon County.

On May 1, 2024, Garden State Initiative’s Annual Policy Forum at the Hyatt Regency New Brunswick featured a Strategic Leaders Panel: How Open are Open Records? Transparency in Government.

The conversation, moderated by Garden State Initiative President Audrey Lane, featured panelists including:

• Ed Forbes – Senior director for opinion and engagement for the USA TODAY Network’s Atlantic Group
• Bethlehem Mayor Paul Muir – President of the New Jersey Conference of Mayors and Chair of the Intra Municipal Affairs Committee of the Legislative Committee of the League of Municipalities
• Dr. Benjamin Dworkin – founding Director of the Rowan Institute for Public Policy and Citizenship (RIPPAC) at Rowan University in Glassboro, NJ

GSI’s annual bipartisan event goes beyond politics, convening experts with diverse viewpoints who are leading the conversation on the critical issues facing New Jersey.

In this series, GSI traveled to the State House in Trenton for one-on-one interviews with legislators, business leaders, and members of the press to discuss Governor Murphy’s latest budget proposal and GSI’s recent report, New Jersey’s Fiscal Cliff Explained. 

Our guest on this episode of GSI’s new Budget Series was Assemblyman Gerry Scharfenberger who serves District 13 representing Monmouth County. Assemblyman Scharfenberger serves on the Budget, Higher Education, Environment, Natural Resources & Solid Waste, and the Regulated Professions Committees.

Assemblyman Scharfenberger weighs in on the budget process and the specific challenges faced this year as the legislators work against the reality of declining revenue. Scharfenberger talks about the stressors on residents and businesses including the budget shortfall at New Jersey Transit and cost and reliability concerns raised by the New Jersey Energy Master Plan.

In this series, GSI traveled to the State House in Trenton for one-on-one interviews with legislators, business leaders, and members of the press to discuss Governor Murphy’s latest budget proposal and GSI’s recent report, New Jersey’s Fiscal Cliff Explained. 

In this episode, Regina is joined by NJ Assemblywoman Michele Matsikoudis for a discussion including budget expectations and New Jersey’s need to control spending rather than raising taxes. Matsikoudis advocated for attracting more businesses to the state by lowering tax rates.

In this series, GSI traveled to the State House in Trenton for one-on-one interviews with legislators, business leaders, and members of the press to discuss Governor Murphy’s latest budget proposal and GSI’s recent report, New Jersey’s Fiscal Cliff Explained. 

In this episode, Dr. Ben Dworkin, Director of Rowan University’s Institute for Public Policy & Citizenship, joins Regina Egea for a conversation about New Jersey’s budget and long-term economic policies. The discussion delves into the challenges of aligning spending with revenue including potential tax increases and revenue options for the state, and highlights the intricate negotiation process involving key leaders.

In this series, GSI traveled to the State House in Trenton for one-on-one interviews with legislators, business leaders, and members of the press to discuss Governor Murphy’s latest budget proposal and GSI’s recent report, New Jersey’s Fiscal Cliff Explained. 

Our guest on this episode of GSI’s new Budget Series is Deputy Minority Leader Assemblyman Antwan McClellan, who serves District 1 which includes Cape May, Cumberland and Atlantic Counties. 

Assemblyman McClellan shared his thoughts on the proposed New Jersey budget, overspending in Trenton, and the recently released New Jersey Disparity Study.

McClellan also responds to the proposed Corporate Business Tax, which is intended to fund NJTRANSIT, through the lens of his constituents who live in South Jersey – an area that has limited accessibility to NJT services.