The Center for Urban Policy Research (CUPR) positions equity as a lens through which to evaluate issues facing urban centers and analyze legislative, executive judicial, and regulatory actions impacting urban spaces. The Center will collaborate with partners in government and the private and non-profit sectors on data-driven, evidence-based action to improve the lives of residents of urban communities throughout New Jersey.
In effect, CUPR operates as a satellite working on behalf of the Watson Institute in regard to its overall policy and research agenda. The Center serves as a synergistic and cyclical sender and receiver of information for the Institute, interacting with various legislative entities, government officials, University representatives and community stakeholders. The information we collect, analyze and communicate is focused on legislation, regulation and policies that affect the Institute's mission to positively impact urban communities. CUPR handles research requests coming from the New Jersey Legislative Black and Latino Caucuses and the New Jersey Urban Mayors Association, in addition to those originating from the Watson Institute and the Kean University community.
CUPR current projects in 2022 include proposing a long-term strategy to lower disproportionately high property taxes for residents of the state's urban areas by lowering the tax burden on municipal governments and increasing the state's contribution. This necessitates proposing new revenue streams the state can use to offset the loss of revenue from local property taxes.
Another project involves creating a digital repository of compiled research and publications authored by Watson Institute staff that can be easily searched and shared as a resource with collaborators and the greater community.
In early February 2022, CUPR supported the Watson Institute in hosting its first virtual policy retreat attended by state legislators Senate Majority Leader M. Teresa Ruiz and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, members of the New Jersey Legislative Black Caucus, chaired by Assemblywoman Shavonda Sumter ‘96; the New Jersey Legislative Latino Caucus, chaired by Senator Nellie Pou; legislative staff; and the New Jersey Urban Mayors Association for the purpose of laying the groundwork for a statewide urban policy agenda. In the coming months, a subsequent event will be held to solidify legislative and policy priorities identified by the caucuses and mayors.
Ultimately, CUPR aims to support collaboration, innovation and transformative change through advancing policies grounded in applied research that benefit all New Jerseyans, particularly those living in urban communities. The Center does so by supporting the praxis orientation of the Watson Institute as a premier think-and-do tank that has brought people to policy in New Jersey for over thirty years.
