New Start New Jersey Podcast

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#48: Robert Puentes Dec 15, 2017

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As governments face mounting infrastructure priorities within a resource-constrained environment, leaders and practitioners have turned their attention to creative methods to meet fundamental needs. One such construct is the public-private partnership, an agreement between a private-sector entity and a government agency to collaborate on the delivery of a service or facility to the public.

While examples of public-private partnerships – or P3s – exist in the United States, the model’s diversity and flexibility can lead to a lack of clarity regarding the relative advantages.

An understanding of the merits and limitations of public-private partnerships would prove worthwhile for a state such as New Jersey, which has yet to authorize P3s for transportation and which houses the fifth-worst infrastructure in the nation.

Joining New Start New Jersey for this examination of public-private partnerships is one of the nation’s leading transportation experts, Robert Puentes, President and CEO of the Eno Center for Transportation.

#47: Dr. Teresa Ghilarducci Dec 06, 2017

Show notes

Anyone who even casually follows public policy recognizes New Jersey faces a significant challenge with respect to its pension system. The state ranks last in the nation in terms of funding ratio, along with several other metrics that speak to the dimension of the problem.

A number of efforts over the years – notably the New Jersey Pension and Health Benefit Study Commission – have outlined steps to mitigate certain outcomes and to place the state on a more practical path. As New Jersey recently elected a new Governor and with pension funding a clear priority, the opportunity exists to weigh all alternatives moving forward.

Joining New Start New Jersey for an examination of options available to the state as it approaches the pension situation is one of the country’s foremost experts in retirement security, Dr. Teresa Ghilarducci, the Bernard L. and Irene Schwartz Chair in economic policy analysis and Director of the Schwartz Center for Economic Policy Analysis at the New School for Social Research.

#46: New Start Career Network: Two Years on the Job Oct 19, 2017

Show notes

The second anniversary has arrived for the New Start Career Network, the nation’s first initiative dedicated solely to returning older, long-term-unemployed citizens to the workforce.

Within only two years, the New Start Career Network has served over 2,800 members, with many having found positions due to the resources, guidance and support made available to them.

Even with this success, the issue continues to pose significant challenges here in New Jersey, a state with one of the highest percentages of long-term unemployment in the country.

Too many individuals and families struggle with the income insecurity and the overall instability associated with long-term unemployment. In short, the state still has a great deal of work to do.

Fortunately, to help solve this far-reaching problem, New Jersey has proven methods, devoted volunteers and dedicated partners.

For this discussion of the second year and coming years of the New Start Career Network, New Start New Jersey speaks with the two people who deserve the most credit for the progress: Carl Van Horn, Distinguished University Professor at Rutgers University and Director of the John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development; and Maria Heidkamp, Director of the New Start Career Network.

#45: Steve Van Kuiken Oct 11, 2017

Show notes

McKinsey and Company – the world’s leading consulting firm – recently published Re-seeding the Garden State’s Economic Growth: A Vision for New Jersey.

This comprehensive analysis recognizes New Jersey’s significant assets – such as an enviable location, an educated population and strong industries – but also acknowledges systemic hindrances that have inhibited the state’s dynamism. Beyond simply identifying areas for improvement, the report outlines a strategy with which New Jersey can more closely approach its potential.

As the authors write, “We in New Jersey do have an outstanding opportunity to reignite our growth. If New Jersey makes the right choices now, it can create a future-oriented, high-growth economy.”

Joining New Start New Jersey for this discussion is Steve Van Kuiken, Senior Partner at McKinsey and Company in New Jersey.

#44: Daniel Castro Oct 11, 2017

Show notes

In July of 2017, the Center for Data Innovation released The Best States for Data Innovation, the annual assessment of how individual states have kept or set the pace in advancing the policies that will enable their citizens to succeed in a data-driven economy.

By examining 25 indicators across the three categories of data, technology and people and companies, the Center for Data Innovation not only measures progress, but also offers recommendations drawn from the best practices on display throughout the nation.

According to The Best States for Data Innovation, New Jersey ranks 23rd, suggesting a certain level of achievement with additional room to improve.

Joining New Start New Jersey for this discussion of data innovation in the states is Daniel Castro, Director of the Center for Data Innovation and Vice President of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation.

#43: Bob Dean Oct 05, 2017

Show notes

As cities, regions and states aspire to design more sustainable, equitable, prosperous and efficient communities, planners and civic leaders can cast their eyes toward Chicago, specifically GO TO 2040, the comprehensive regional plan that encompasses seven counties and 284 municipalities.

Overseen by the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, Go to 2040 aims to enhance regional mobility, promote livable communities, elevate human capital and advance efficient governance. The initiative has earned national praise, held up as framework deserving replication.

Joining New Start New Jersey for a discussion of Go to 2040 is Bob Dean, Deputy Executive Director for Planning with the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning.

#42: Mary Barber Aug 01, 2017

Show notes

Energy efficiency – defined simply – entails “using less energy to provide the same service.” Such a straightforward concept poses far-reaching, demonstrable benefits for the environment, the economy and society. Once ranked among the top-ten states in the nation with respect to energy efficiency, New Jersey has dropped to 24th in recent standings, due to high costs, poor infrastructure and the failure to manage optimally its clean-energy funds. Several policy options remain available for New Jersey to harness energy efficiency’s potential.

Joining New Start New Jersey for a discussion of steps the state might consider to enhance its energy-efficiency profile is Mary Barber, Director of New Jersey Clean Energy at the Environmental Defense Fund.

#41: Katie Woslager Jul 13, 2017

Show notes

In 2015, the Brookings Institution’s Metropolitan Policy Program introduced the category of advanced industries, sectors anchored by R&D and STEM activity that generate high-wage, high-growth, sustainable and inclusive employment.

When exploring initiatives with which New Jersey could invigorate its advanced-industries profile, Colorado houses a highly successful model.

The state’s Advanced Industries Accelerator Grant Program backs locally incepted innovations in the pre-investment stage, shepherding technologies and services from the research phase through development to commercialization.

Joining New Start New Jersey for a discussion of Colorado’s progress with its Advanced Industries Accelerator Grant Program is Katie Woslager, Senior Manager of Advanced Industries with the Office of Economic Development and International Trade.

#40: Ken Berlin Jun 23, 2017

Show notes

The Paris Climate Agreement represents an historic diplomatic achievement in the global partnership to stem the climate crisis. Approved by 195 nations in December 2015, the Paris Agreement aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in order to limit warming to well below two degrees Celsius.

Recently, the United States announced its intention to withdraw from the Paris Agreement, a move that has drawn widespread and forceful criticism. In response, individuals, organizations, businesses and governments have strongly affirmed their commitments to the principles and practices of the Paris Agreement.

Notably, several states have formed the United States Climate Alliance, a coalition dedicated to taking bold steps on climate change.

Joining New Start New Jersey for a discussion of the Paris Agreement is the President and CEO of The Climate Reality Project, Ken Berlin.

#39: Ethan Pollack Jun 19, 2017

Show notes

Investments by employers in the training of its workers have plummeted in recent years, while the need for enhanced skills has increased significantly during the same period. This fundamental asymmetry has weakened the overall workforce, with consequences spilling throughout the economy.

In a recent paper, the Aspen Institute brings to light a number of the forces driving this dynamic. More importantly, the Aspen Institute recommends the introduction of a Worker Training Tax Credit as a possible solution.

Joining New Start New Jersey for a discussion of the Worker Training Tax Credit is one of the authors, Ethan Pollack, Associate Director of Research and Policy for the Future of Work Initiative at the Aspen Institute.

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