New Jersey FY2027 State Budget Explorer

Shared costs across all state agencies — employee benefits, pensions, rent, insurance, utilities, and salary increases. This is the fastest-growing area of the budget.

The state's largest department. Administers Medicaid/NJ FamilyCare (covering ~1.8 million residents, approximately one-third of all births in NJ), programs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, mental health and addiction services, income assistance, SNAP benefits, and services for seniors, blind/visually impaired residents, and new Americans. The FY2027 increase reflects healthcare cost growth, $154M in additional community-based disability services, $70.9M for county SNAP administration (due to federal H.R.1 cost-share changes), and $18M additional for child care assistance.

Manages the state budget, collects all revenue, administers property tax relief (ANCHOR/Stay NJ), provides statewide IT, purchasing, and financial services, and handles economic development funding through the EDA.

Houses cultural programs, elections, tourism, the Business Action Center, and — notably — all higher education appropriations including the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education (OSHE), the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA), and State Library. The FY2027 reduction largely reflects elimination of one-time initiatives.

Department of State budget (excluding higher ed): $109M, down 10.5%. Higher education and State Library operate independently under this appropriation.

Manages state highways, bridges, and transit systems. The budget supports NJ Transit operations (no service cuts), 40 new rail cars, 250 new buses, the new Portal Bridge opening, and continued support for the Gateway Tunnel project. The Transportation Trust Fund receives $1.6B for capital projects.

Over 6,000 employees administering child welfare, foster care, adoption, domestic violence programs, family support, and childcare services. Operates 14 DCF Regional Schools (avg. enrollment 1,881). The FY2027 budget includes $12.8M in growth for the Family Connects NJ program expansion.

Three branches: Public Health Services, Health Systems (hospital licensure/inspection), and Integrated Health Services (psychiatric hospitals, long-term care). Oversees $630.3M in hospital funding across Charity Care, GME, GME-Supplemental, GME-Trauma Center, and Quality Improvement.

Nine institutions, ~13,700 incarcerated persons (capacity 15,351). 5,159 funded positions. Savings from salary efficiencies offset by new healthcare contract costs, partially offset by 340B drug discount program expansion.

Provides fire and building safety inspections, housing assistance and production, community planning, local government management support, and disaster recovery. The budget provides over $1.7 billion in total municipal aid (including amounts distributed through other departments). Protects the Affordable Housing Trust Fund ($70M).

Under the Attorney General, encompasses State Police, Division of Criminal Justice, consumer protection, civil rights enforcement, gaming enforcement, Juvenile Justice Commission, and 23 other divisions. FY2027 includes funding for a new State Police recruit class, body-worn cameras, and P25 radio maintenance.

An independent branch of government. Includes the Supreme Court, Appellate Division, trial courts across 21 counties organized into 15 vicinages, and the Tax Court. In the court year ending June 30, 2025, Superior Courts resolved 811,275 cases — including 40,575 criminal, 557,791 civil, and 212,909 family cases. The FY2027 decrease reflects elimination of one-time supplemental funding.

Seven major divisions covering air quality, water resources, fish and wildlife, state parks and forests, contaminated site remediation, and watershed management. Five priorities: reduce/respond to climate change, protect water, revitalize communities, manage natural/historic resources, strengthen DEP. Three in-but-not-of agencies: Palisades Interstate Park Commission, Highlands Council, Pinelands Commission.

Assists individuals in finding employment, provides income security for unemployed and injured workers, enforces labor laws, and analyzes economic data. Decrease reflects a $5M reduction in Family Supplemental Leave Payments and elimination of discretionary initiatives. Workforce Development Partnership Fund provides training grants funded by dedicated employer/employee assessments.

Newly established department (separated from Military Affairs by P.L.2025, c.139). Operates three long-term care Veterans' Memorial Homes (Paramus, Menlo Park, Vineland) with a combined capacity of 948 beds. Provides benefits assistance to nearly 300,000 NJ veterans through regional service offices. Growth supports salaries, software, and maintenance costs.

Promotes and protects the Garden State's agricultural industry — food safety, animal health, plant pest control, farmland preservation, and marketing. The large decrease reflects reduced one-time funding. Farmland preservation continues: 253,014 cumulative acres permanently preserved across 2,890 farms.

Funds the operations of the state legislative branch — the Senate, General Assembly, legislative support services (Office of Legislative Services, legislative staff), and legislative commissions.

Regulates banking, insurance, and real estate industries. Protects consumers and promotes financial stability. Growth reflects increased resources for oversight functions and the State Health Insurance Marketplace (GetCovered NJ). The department is entirely funded through State Operations.

Annual payments of principal and interest on general obligation bonds issued by the state. No new debt can be issued without voter approval. This excludes pension obligation bond debt service, which is included in the Teachers' Pension line item.

Funds the Office of the Governor. The FY2027 budget remains at $14.7 million, the same level as FY2026.

Newly separated from Veterans Affairs (P.L.2025, c.139). Supports the NJ National Guard — over 6,100 Army Guard soldiers and 2,200 Air Guard airmen. Growth supports salaries and software costs associated with establishing the new department. Responsible for homeland security emergency response training.

Funding for various independent commissions and boards not housed within a specific department. Remains flat at approximately $1 million.

Two dedicated funds supported by casino, internet gaming, and sports betting revenue. The Casino Revenue Fund ($1.003B) must be spent on programs for senior citizens and individuals with disabilities — primarily Purchased Residential Care ($974M) for people with developmental disabilities. The Casino Control Fund ($81.3M) funds gaming regulation and enforcement.