News & Events
TECH UPDATES: Digital Tools for City/County Communications
By Marc Pfeiffer (Published October 1, 2025 at ICMA.org) Technology is rapidly changing how local governments communicate with the public. Here’s what’s happening. Every community depends on clear, effective communication between local government and its residents. Today’s cities and counties must reach residents, community organizations, businesses, and...
New Report – State of the Climate: New Jersey 2024
New Jersey 2024 Summary of Climate Trends The year 2024 was the warmest on record globally and the second warmest year on record in New Jersey. This year represented a continuation of the long-term climate change trend in global temperatures that drives regional effects and hazards in New Jersey. As such, this report focuses on changes in temperature, sea-level rise, precipitation, and extreme events in New Jersey.
TECH UPDATES: Technology Policies for Your Community
By Marc Pfeiffer (Published August 1, 2025 at ICMA.org) As a local government leader, technology affects more than just your internal operations. Many tech issues directly impact your residents and need your attention. Big Picture Issues Technology touches many important areas, including community-wide concerns like climate change and diversity; local...
More than 100k people lost power during NYC’s heatwave last week. Experts say get used to it.
“Many of those [transmission lines] are maxed out, especially due to electric vehicles and also due to the increased presence of air conditioning and heat pumps,” Andrews said. “Many of them are a century old and not only outdated, but woefully under capacity.”
New Jersey school taxes to rise dramatically in many Ocean and Monmouth school districts
The tax cap in New Jersey has kept annual increases relatively low, but also so low that they have not reflected the natural growth of communities and costs, said Pfeiffer, of the Bloustein School at Rutgers University.
Despite protest, E-ZPass can be run by a company with Singapore ties, the N.J. Turnpike Authority says
Commenting on the alleged Singapore-China alliance, Marc Pfeiffer, associate director of the Bloustein Local Government Research Center at Rutgers University, said: “It’s important to remember that Singapore is a separate country from China, and is not an adversary of the United States.
New Study Projects Climate-Driven Flooding for Thousands of New Jersey Homes
Like roads and utilities, the collection and analysis of data have become vital tools that enable municipalities to tailor services to their residents. But what does this mean for you and your community? This guide will help you understand how to use information to serve your community better.
TECH UPDATES: Using Data in Your Local Government: A Guide for Beginners
Like roads and utilities, the collection and analysis of data have become vital tools that enable municipalities to tailor services to their residents. But what does this mean for you and your community? This guide will help you understand how to use information to serve your community better.
NJ Climate Change Conference Brings Together Broad Coalition of Experts Focused on Adaptation and Mitigation
Local and national experts representing a wide range of stakeholders gathered on the Rutgers University-New Brunswick campus for the conference, “Sustaining Innovation in New Jersey Climate Policy – Past, Present and Future,” on March 21.
New $1.7B NJ Turnpike contract to operate E-ZPass program is awash in controversy
Companies winning contracts with state agencies are required to provide disclosure forms showing ownership structures for those with a 10% stake or higher, said Marc Pfeiffer, a senior policy fellow and faculty researcher at Rutgers University’s Center for Urban Policy Research.
Recent Products
Cultural and Institutional Factors Driving Severe Repetitive Flood Losses: Insights From the Jersey Shore
Decisions about how to respond to coastal flood hazards often involve disagreements over resource allocations. In the United States, large intergovernmental fiscal transfers have enabled rebuilding in areas that experience severe repetitive losses. This case study...
Who Lives in America’s Housing? Fifty State Demographic Multipliers
This residential demographic multipliers monograph presents the background to and context of residential demographic multipliers, and details the different facets of this information and how the varied data can be optimally applied. The monograph presents the multiple...
Tech Fitness for Local Elected Officials and Administrators
These articles were designed to help local government leaders develop “tech fitness” for their organizations. The idea of tech fitness is to ensure that organizations can meet expectations for technologically driven services, which today, include most government...
Calculators and Dashboards
Local Fiscal Impact Calculator Demographic Multipliers (application) Overview and User Guide Database of 50 States Who Lives in America's Housing? Fifty State Demographic Multipliers Elizabeth Air Quality Dashboard Dashboard Community Bulletin Board Acknowledgments...