Author

Dana DiFilippo comes to the New Jersey Monitor from WHYY, Philadelphia’s NPR station, and the Philadelphia Daily News, a paper known for exposing corruption and holding public officials accountable. Prior to that, she worked at newspapers in Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, and suburban Philadelphia and has freelanced for various local and national magazines, newspapers and websites. She lives in Central Jersey with her husband, a photojournalist, and their two children.
Some bills left in limbo after breakneck June voting sessions
By: Nikita Biryukov, Sophie Nieto-Munoz and Dana DiFilippo - July 6, 2023
June is a dizzying time in Trenton, with lawmakers passing hundreds of bills. But hundreds more are stuck in limbo until the fall.
‘Crisis pregnancy’ centers call for transparency in battle over consumer alert
By: Dana DiFilippo - July 6, 2023
Crisis pregnancy centers are fighting the state's consumer alert by suing for public records — a fight they're winning, per a new ruling.
Legislators pass bill that would restrict lawsuits meant to silence critics
By: Dana DiFilippo - July 5, 2023
New Jersey could soon have a new law to protect people from lawsuits filed to punish them for speaking out on matters of public concern.
State judge slapped with ethics complaint for “inappropriate” TikTok videos
By: Dana DiFilippo - July 3, 2023
A state Superior Court judge posted 11 "inappropriate" videos to TikTok that an ethics committee says demeaned his judicial office.
Panel finds ‘dismaying’ bullying by feminist leaders
By: Dana DiFilippo - July 3, 2023
State leaders of the National Organization for Women of N.J. accused local leaders of racist, ageist bullying. An arbiter ordered sensitivity training.
Lawmakers pass controversial bill to give tax break to offshore wind developer
By: Dana DiFilippo - June 30, 2023
The wind developer Ørsted will get a tax break under a bill that lawmakers narrowly passed on their last day in session before summer break.
Effort to expand tax incentives for wind power moves forward despite outcry
By: Dana DiFilippo - June 28, 2023
Lawmakers Tuesday advanced a bill to expand tax incentives for offshore wind developers — after hours of debate, closed-door wrangling, and amendments.
N.J. lawmakers mull legalizing hallucinogenic mushrooms to treat mental illness
By: Dana DiFilippo - June 27, 2023
New Jersey legalized marijuana to treat medical problems. Will magic mushrooms be the next illicit drug they green light for health care?
A year after Dobbs, New Jersey abortion rights advocates celebrate wins — but fear backsliding
By: Dana DiFilippo and Sophie Nieto-Munoz - June 23, 2023
Several proposals sought by abortion rights activists have stuttered in the Statehouse pipeline, leaving advocates with clear marching orders on what’s left to be done as they mark the anniversary of the Dobbs decision.
Guns banned — again — in certain sensitive places under new federal court order
By: Dana DiFilippo - June 21, 2023
The latest order in gun rights advocates fight against New Jersey's gun carry law reinstates a ban in eight sensitive places.
Court ruling in police disciplinary records battle a blow for transparency, critics warn
By: Dana DiFilippo - June 21, 2023
Transparency advocates hoped the state's high court would require losers of public records disputes to pay attorneys' fees. It did not.
Senate passes bills to toughen car theft penalties
By: Dana DiFilippo - June 20, 2023
Senators approved bills to heighten penalties for people who steal cars or car parts, especially repeat offenders and crime-ring members.