What is Shaping NJ Communities Right Now?
Princeton Perspectives, Issue #72, February 17, 2026
Editor’s Note
The snow outside does not seem to be leaving, but there are a lot of other changes happening around us. From electrical bills, to vaccinations, immigration enforcement and real estate regulations, there is a lot to talk about this month. We delve into all of it for you in the February issue of Princeton Perspectives, What is Shaping NJ Communities Right Now?
When we asked our readers, most said their utility bills have gone up drastically over the past year. Locals around Quakerbridge Mall had some different insights and a variety of responses. How much are the winter weather and electrical rates impacting people? You can see what they have to say in this month’s Pulse of Princeton video.
In This Issue
- Pulse of Princeton – What changes are you seeing in your energy bills?
- Utility Rates Skyrocketed Last Summer. Can Governor Sherrill Finally Provide Help?
- What Princeton Residents Need to Know About Proposed Vaccination Standards
- Do Immigration Practices Impact the Safety, Security and Stability of a Community?
- Understanding the Impact of New Housing Regulations in Princeton and Across the State
Want to sponsor an issue of Princeton Perspectives?
Book for 2026 now! Contact us for available dates.
The Pulse of Princeton – What changes are you seeing in your energy bills?
- Utility Rates Skyrocketed Last Summer. Can Governor Sherrill Finally Provide Help? - New Jersey’s electricity rates are amongst the highest across the continental United States. In fact, residential prices rose more than 33% from June 2023 through June 2025. Last summer, customers saw prices… Read more...
- What Princeton Residents Need to Know About Proposed Vaccination Standards - Vaccination requirements have long been one of the most effective public health tools for preventing serious illness, protecting vulnerable populations, and keeping schools and communities functioning safely. These requirements did not emerge… Read more...
- Do Immigration Practices Impact the Safety, Security and Stability of a Community? - There are residents of Princeton that are in hiding, families that are scared, and community members that are rallying behind them. Local leaders have spoken out and galvanized supporting resources. Schools have… Read more...
- Understanding the Impact of New Housing Regulations in Princeton and Across the State - Princeton is in the middle of a quiet but profound reset in how we own, tax, and use our homes. Recent changes to LLC rules, state tax policy, and local accessory dwelling… Read more...
Perspectives Revisited
Princeton continues to put pedestrian and vehicular safety at the forefront, this time by advocating for and helping to implement reduced speed limits along the main road through town. We detailed what goes into the decisions and actions for roadway safety in the article Traffic Safety, Enforcement & Education in an Evolving Town (July 2025), and now it has been announced that new speed limits have been set up along two sections of Route 27. The first area, Nassau Street from US Route 206 (Bayard Lane) to Snowden Lane / Riverside Drive, is now 25 MPH. The second area, Princeton-Kingston Road from Snowden Lane / Riverside Drive the Princeton municipal boundary with Franklin Township / South Brunswick Township has now been reduced to 35 MPH. You have likely noticed message boards along the route to inform of the changes before enforcement gets underway.
In an effort to reduce food waste 50% by 2035, a new law was recently enacted in NJ to create a simpler regulatory structure to get there. Princeton-based Share My Meals has been working towards this goal since January 2020. We have shared how this organization and other community agencies are working together to help locals, including in the article Giving of Your Time or Money Can Have Big Rewards (November 2024). As the new year is underway, Share My Meals just announced it has reached a milestone this month, recovering and delivering 500,000 meals. By redirecting excess food from the cafeterias of local hospitals, universities and corporations to neighbors in need, it is both helping to eliminate food waste and impacting community health.