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A 4512

Codifies various centers and programs at Rutgers University - Newark; appropriates $6.5 million.

2024-2025 Regular Session Introduced by Reginald Atkins and 2 co-sponsors

Codifies five Rutgers-Newark centers and programs with a $6.5 million annual appropriation to research race and politics, inequality, local supply chains, re-entry, and prison educ

Introduced in the Assembly, Referred to Assembly Higher Education Committee
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Bill Summary · A 4512

Summary of Assembly Bill A 4512

Overview

  • Bill Number: A 4512
  • Title: Codifies various centers and programs at Rutgers University – Newark; appropriates $6.5 million.
  • Subject: Higher Education
  • Status: Introduced in the Assembly; referred to Assembly Higher Education Committee (introduced February 4, 2025).
  • Classification: Bill establishing five centers/programs at Rutgers, supplementing Title 18A, chapter 65.
  • Effective Date: Immediate upon enactment.

What the bill would do

  • The bill codifies five additional centers/programs at Rutgers, The State University – Newark, into law and directs a total appropriation of $6.5 million to support them. The targeted centers/programs and their purposes are described below.

The five centers and programs (with key purposes)

  1. Sheila Y. Oliver Center for Politics and Race at Rutgers–Newark

    • Purpose: Nonpartisan research center examining the link between race and politics in the United States.
    • Three focus areas:
      • Data resource center producing and rapidly disseminating race-and-politics data regionally, statewide, nationally, and internationally.
      • Advanced training in data analysis to better understand race-politics connections.
      • Program development, including a paid internship, to support students from diverse backgrounds pursuing public service careers.
    • Funding: $1,000,000 annually (fiscal years 1+).

  2. Center on Law, Inequality and Metropolitan Equity (CLiME)

    • Purpose: Collaborative public scholarship on structural inequality and systemic racism.
    • Focus areas:
      • Building data-analysis capacity for local policymaking.
      • Understanding the affordable housing gap.
      • Producing analyses and policy recommendations to reduce disparities across local governments.
    • Funding: $1,000,000 annually.

  3. Rutgers Center for Local Supply Chain Resiliency (CLSCR)

    • Purpose: Applied research to strengthen New Jersey’s local supply chains.
    • Focus areas:
      • Research supporting locally sourced contracts.
      • Building robust, resilient supply chains in New Jersey.
    • Funding: $1,000,000 annually.

  4. Re-Entry Opportunity Program for Entrepreneurship in Newark (RE-OPEN)

    • Purpose: Support justice-impacted youth and individuals re-entering the community from incarceration.
    • Focus areas:
      • Creating a central hub for education, workforce development, business support, and community engagement.
      • Collaboration with local businesses, nonprofits, and educational institutions to provide resources, mentorship, and networking.
    • Funding: $1,000,000 annually.

  5. New Jersey Scholarship and Transformative Education in Prisons (NJSTEP)

    • Purpose: Provide higher education opportunities for incarcerated students and credits toward a degree.
    • Funding: $2,500,000 annually.

Funding and appropriation details

  • Total appropriation: $6,500,000 from the General Fund to Rutgers–Newark.
  • Allocation breakdown (per bill):
    • Sheila Y. Oliver Center for Politics and Race in America — $1,000,000
    • Center on Law, Inequality and Metropolitan Equity (CLiME) — $1,000,000
    • Rutgers Center for Local Supply Chain Resiliency (CLSCR) — $1,000,000
    • Re-Entry Opportunity Program for Entrepreneurship in Newark (RE-OPEN) — $1,000,000
    • New Jersey Scholarship and Transformative Education in Prisons (NJSTEP) — $2,500,000

Who is affected

  • Rutgers, The State University – Newark (as the implementing institution) would administer the centers/programs and funding.
  • Local communities in Newark and New Jersey broadly could benefit from enhanced research, policy analysis, workforce development, and educational opportunities.
  • Stakeholders include students (especially from diverse backgrounds and incarcerated students), local government entities, educators, community organizations, and businesses involved with local supply chains and re-entry programs.

Timeline and procedural notes

  • The bill is introduced in February 2025 and referred to the Assembly Higher Education Committee, with additional reference to Education noted in committee actions. It is labeled as a codification and appropriation bill, taking effect immediately upon enactment.

Related context

  • Related bills and companion measures exist (e.g., A 9790; S 584; S 3386) in the same policy area; sponsors include Jeff Gallahan (prime). The bill mirrors and expands on prior proposals to establish these centers and funding during the current or prior legislative sessions.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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