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Thomas Kozma

Thomas Kozma is a Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy junior majoring in planning and public policy. His column, “With Liberty and Justice for All,” runs on alternate Fridays.

KOZMA: By changing local election dates, NJ can increase voter turnout

Virginia and New Jersey share an odd approach to timing elections, holding state and local elections the year after presidential ones. We are the only two states voting for our governors this year, for example.Apr 29

KOZMA: Police priorities must be reevaluated

How many laws have you violated without even knowing? If you read “How to Become a Federal Criminal: An Illustrated Handbook for the Aspiring Offender,” by criminal defense lawyer Mike Chase, who also runs the delightful Twitter account @CrimeADay, you might be surprised.Apr 15

KOZMA: NJ representatives should not hold nation's infrastructure hostage for sake of wealthy

If you were in Congress, would you threaten to derail a long overdue and wildly popular investment in our nation’s infrastructure just to give rich people another tax cut?Apr 1

KOZMA: Voting rights must extend to noncitizens

There is nothing more fundamental to representative democracy than the right to vote in free and fair elections. So why do we still deny this right to millions of people? When we say America has "universal suffrage," we really mean universal suffrage for adult citizens not living in D.C. or an American territory and, depending on the state, who have not been convicted of a felony.Mar 11

KOZMA: Zoning laws must be amended for sake of middle class

Where is it illegal to build a duplex in New Jersey? What about triplexes or fourplexes? These may seem like simple questions, but there are no simple answers. Feb 25

KOZMA: Child poverty is unacceptable in 21st century

If the government could halve child poverty this year, would there be any morally defensible reason not to? Feb 11

KOZMA: Democrats need to abolish filibuster now

After winning the House of Representatives in 2018, Democrats passed the For the People Act (H.R. 1). The most ambitious democracy reform since the Voting Rights Act of 1965, H.R. 1 would effectively abolish partisan gerrymandering, ensure automatic voter registration, end criminal disenfranchisement and expand early and mail-in voting.Jan 29

KOZMA: Hudson County made wrong move by extending ICE contract

As we recently celebrated Thanksgiving, let us spare a moment for the dozens of detained immigrants in the Hudson County Correctional Facility unable to celebrate with their families.Dec 10

KOZMA: Partisanship poisons government

The stakes could not be clearer: Democratic victories in Georgia's Senate races this January would give President-elect Joe Biden a chance to pass a meaningful legislative agenda. Nov 12

KOZMA: China's genocide must be met with divestment

Democracy is remarkably fragile. It requires a careful balance between majority rule and minority rights, yet we humans are hardwired to gravitate toward strong leaders and suspicion of the "other." Oct 29

KOZMA: Redistricting amendment distracts from system's true flaws

Next month, New Jersey voters will decide whether to approve Public Question 3, which would delay the redistricting process until after the November 2021 elections if New Jersey does not receive data from the Census by Feb. 15 next year. Oct 15

KOZMA: After Republican antics, all bets are off

America lost a consistent and fearless advocate for equal justice under the law with the untimely death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Whether striking down the exclusion of women from the Virginia Military Institute or standing up for voting rights in her dissent in Shelby County v. Holder, Ginsburg was motivated by a deep faith in our democracy. Oct 1