Statement on the Proposed FY27 Budget

Consortium Statement on the Proposed FY27 State Budget

March 26, 2026

The New Jersey Civic Information Consortium is disappointed to see the removal of Consortium funding in the governor's proposed FY27 budget. While we understand the challenges of this budget year, the removal of Consortium allocation will eliminate funding for local news and lead to the further deterioration of trustworthy information and civic engagement especially in minority and rural communities.

Since its first round of grants in 2021, the Consortium has worked to strengthen local news and civic information across New Jersey by supporting independent journalism, expanding community storytelling, and helping ensure residents have access to the reliable information they need to participate in civic life. To date, the Consortium has invested more than $12M in community-driven local journalism across the Garden state and we estimate our grantees are reaching 1 in every 4 New Jersey households.

New Jersey has been a national leader in supporting local journalism through public investment and the proposed cut to Consortium funding threatens the vital infrastructure we have been creating to build and sustain local journalism.

The governor's proposal begins the state budget process, and we look forward to working alongside the Legislature to recognize the critical role local news plays in our state and restore funding for the Consortium in the final budget.

We invite partners and supporters of local news to join us in strengthening informed, connected communities by learning more and advocating for local news at njcivicinfo.org/fundlocalnews.

Local journalism, civic engagement, and eliminating misinformation is worth fighting for.

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