Between the Lines
NJ State Budget Annual “Extras”
Learn more about the hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars within the NJ state budget awarded to local governments and nonprofit organizations without any public process or merit-based criteria.
LATEST WORK
Gov. Tom Kean Economic Leadership Award Gala
June 13, 2025
Please join us Thursday, September 18, 2025 at the Hudson House perched at the water’s edge in Jersey City for…
State Auditor’s Summary Financial Report: A Bird’s-eye Look at New Jersey Finances
May 22, 2025
New Jersey governments—state and local—issue many financial reports, seemingly each with its own idiosyncratic reporting standards and jargon. Perhaps the…
GSI Analysis: April ’25 Jobs Report – New Jersey’s April Labor Market: One Step Forward, One Step Back
May 15, 2025
Increase in unemployment to 4.8% offsets April’s 4,800 job gain. New Jersey’s labor market basically moved sideways in April. The…
2025 GSI Annual Policy Forum
May 14, 2025
New Jersey: On the Brink of Opportunity Policy experts, business leaders, and stakeholders convened for the Annual GSI Policy Forum—an…
GSI Analysis: March ’25 Jobs Report – New Jersey’s Labor Market Weakened in March
April 18, 2025
Unemployment rate moved up to 4.7%. Job count fell from downward revised February number. New Jersey’s March labor market data…
GSI Analysis: February ’25 Jobs Report – New Jersey’s February Labor Market: Government Surge Swells Moderate Private Gains after January Losses
March 27, 2025
Unemployment rate remains 4.6% for the 9th straight month. Large 19,200 increase in jobs mainly due to an odd 12,600…
GSI Analysis: January ’25 Jobs Report – New Jersey Private Sector Adds Jobs in January; Unemployment Rate Unchanged with Drops in Labor Force and Employment
March 14, 2025
Total job count down 6,100, reflecting sharp drop in government, after very large December increase. Unemployment rate 4.6% for an…
RELEASE: President Trump’s former Chief Economist Stephen Moore Headlined 2025 Economic Policy Outlook Talking Taxes, Tariffs & Energy Policy
March 6, 2025
The event was hosted by Garden State Initiative & The Commerce and Industry Association of NJ Florham Park, March 6,…
The Garden State Initiative and CIANJ’s 2025 Economic Policy Outlook
March 6, 2025
Please join CIANJ and the Garden State Initiative (GSI) as we start the new year with an overview of New…
RELEASE: When in a Hole, Stop Digging: New Jersey’s Budget Woes and How to Address Them
February 26, 2025
New GSI report released as follow-up to the 2024 Fiscal Cliff Explained Click here to view the reportThe Garden State…
Garden State Initiative Report: When in a Hole, Stop Digging: New Jersey’s Budget Woes and How to Address Them
February 26, 2025
New GSI report released as follow-up to the 2024 Fiscal Cliff Explained Click here to view the reportThe Garden State…
GSI Analysis: December ’24 Jobs Report – New Jersey Labor Market Soft to Stable in December
January 23, 2025
Unemployment rate unchanged at 4.6%, as declines in resident employment and the labor force cancelled out. Moderate job gain of…
New Jersey’s film tax credit program just isn’t worth it
January 2, 2025
Gov. Phil Murphy harshly criticized his predecessor’s use of tax incentives early in his first term, suggesting they were overused…
PODCAST: Is New Jersey’s Film Subsidy Worth It? GSI President Audrey Lane Speaks with Dr. Charles Steindel
December 31, 2024
In the latest GSI briefing podcast, Audrey Lane, President of the Garden State Initiative, welcomes Dr. Charles Steindel, an expert…
GSI Analysis: New Jersey’s Income and Output Record Steady Q3 Increases
December 20, 2024
The state’s real GDP and Personal Income grew at about the national pace. Pennsylvania grew more rapidly, while New York’s…
GSI Analysis: November ’24 Jobs Report – New Jersey Unemployment Edges Down, Jobs Gain Slightly in November
December 20, 2024
4.6% unemployment rate lowest since June, but reflects drop in the labor force. 3,100 job gain in November accompanied by…
RELEASE: Good Headlines, But Bad Policy: The Story of NJ’s Film Tax Credits
December 9, 2024
Dr. Charles Steindel authors report for GSI questioning economic value of tax credits For Immediate Release Contact: Audrey Lane Click…
Garden State Initiative Report: Is New Jersey’s Film Subsidy Worth It?
December 9, 2024
Dr. Charles Steindel authors report for GSI questioning economic value of tax credits For Immediate Release Contact: Audrey Lane Click…
GSI Analysis: October ’24 Jobs Report – New Jersey’s Labor Market Stagnant in October
November 15, 2024
New Jersey’s labor force edged down. Unemployment rate stayed at 4.7%. Job count dropped 1,500, with September’s large increase cut…
2024 Intern Spotlight
November 8, 2024
New Jersey Needs More Budget Transparency Ahana Dasgupta, George Washington University For state government to truly serve the people, there…
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