White Papers

The NJLM Educational Foundation publishes papers in the “Friends of Local Government” series. These policy oriented papers will offer the perspectives of experts from outside municipal government, applying their expertise to issues confronted by local leaders.

Friends of Local Government Series

• 2010: A Stabilizing Economy but Uncertainties Remain (PDF); authored by Dr. James Hughes and Dr. Joseph Seneca from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, this paper offers analysis of the global economic recession, including the impact on local governments and our taxpayers.
• 2012: New Jersey Employment Upswing? Or Will It Succumb to the National Slowdown? (PDF); authored by Dr. James Hughes and Dr. Joseph Seneca from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, this paper is the third volume in a series.
• 2016: The Changing Face of Cybersecurity & What it Means for Municipalities (PDF); authored by Dr. Morris A. Enyeart.
• A Moving Legal Target: Local Government Regulatory Authority Over Small Cell Wireless Facilities (PDF); published in 2019 and authored by Ken Fellman, Esq.,Helmer, Conley and Kasselman, recent developments in federal regulation of small cell technology will be examined as will theimplications for local government control over siting of these facilities in public rights of way (ROW).
• Appropriating Energy Tax Receipts: The New Normal for New Jersey (PDF); published in 2013 and authored by Angie McGuire, Ph.D and Alan Zalkind, Director ofthe Center for Executive Leadership at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey.
• Changing Economic and Demographic Dynamics: A New Context for New Jersey Municipalities (PDF); published in June 2015 and authored by Dr. James Hughes and Dr. Joseph Seneca from Rutgers, the StateUniversity of New Jersey.
• Communicating with Constituents when State Policy and Local Jurisdictions Collide (PDF); published in September 2011 and authored by Patrick Murray, Director, Monmouth University Polling Institute.
• Connecting with Constituents: How Cities and Towns Can Use Social Media (PDF); published in December 2009 and authored by Christopher Rosica.
• Cross Currents and Convergence: Politics, Economics and the Future of New Jersey Renewable Energy Policy (PDF); published in October 2012 and authored by Tom Johnson, co-founder and energy and environment writerfor NJ Spotlight.
• Expiring Affordability Controls Maintaining Affordable Housing in our Municipalities (PDF); published in September 2013 and authoted by David N. Kinsey, FAICP, PP and Edwin W. Schmierer, Esq.
• Integrating Health into Community Design and Decision-making: Opportunities for NJ Municipalites (PDF); published in March 2015 and authored by Dr. James W. Hughes, Dean of the Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, and Dr. Denise Rodgers, Vice-Chancellor of Rutgers Biomedical Health Science.
• Leadership and Change: A Primer for Newly Elected Officials (PDF); published December 2012 and authored by Robert Casey.
• Lift-Off to Tail-Off: More Economic Uncertainty (PDF); published Summer 2016 and authored by Dr. James Hughes from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey.
• Moving Up in a Downturn: Management Challenges and Strategies for Municipalities (PDF); published in September 2010 and authored by Angie McGuire and Dorothy OlshfskiThe Center for Executive Leadership in Government Division of Continuing Studies Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey.
• Municipal Lessons Learned From Superstorm Sandy in New Jersey (PDF); published December 2013 and Dr. Stephanie Hoopes Halpin, Ph.D, School of Public Affairs and Administration, Rutgers-Newark.
• New Legal Tools for Redevelopment (PDF); published in April 2014 and authored by Joseph J. Maraziti, Jr. Esq, Anton L. Lendor, Esq., and Stan Slachetka, PP, AICP.
• Policing in Difficult Economic Times (PDF); authored by Joseph Cordero, The Cordero Group.
• Practical Lessons from the Front Line: An Economic Development Tool Box for Mayors and Community Leaders (PDF); published in September 2014 and authored by Jun Choi, the former Mayor of Edison Township and former Vice President of the League’s Foundation.
• Redistricting Reform in New Jersey (PDF); published in 2012 and authored by Mark J. Magyar, Editor-at-Large, New Jersey Spotlight.
• Shared Services and Municipal Consolidation Pursuing Careful Assumptions and Grounded Studies (PDF); published by Marc Holzer and John Fry.
• State Government Finances: Outlook for New Jersey and Implications for its Local Governments (PDF); published in September 2009 and authored by Henry A. Coleman, Professor, Public Policy Program, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, Rutgers-The State University of New Jersey.
• The Importance of Leadership in Challenging Economic Times (PDF); published in December 2010 and authored by Triad Associates.
• The Importance of Long-Term Planning in Reducing Flooding Vulnerability (PDF); published in December 2016 and authored by David Kutner, AICP PP.
• The Lessons of Hurricane Irene: All Emergencies Start and End Locally (PDF); published in New Jersey Municipalities magazine, February 2012, and authored by Charles McKenna, Director, and Joseph Picciano, P.E., Deputy Director, Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness.
• The New Jersey Economy: Same Old, Same Old (PDF); published in Summer 2018 and authored by James W. Hughes, Professor and Dean, Edward J. Blousteing School of Planning and Public Policy, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey.
• The New Jersey Economy: The Expansion Continues (PDF); published in Summer 2017 and authored by James W. Hughes, Professor and Dean, Edward J. Blousteing School of Planning and Public Policy, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey.
• The Relationship of the Cost of Local Government and Municipal Size in New Jersey (PDF); published in December 2014 and authored by Raphael J. Caprio, PhD and Marc Pfeiffer, MPA.