Asbury Park Press

Most New Jerseyans consider themselves part of the middle class. But most also say it's a struggle to afford a middle-class life in this state. Assembly Minority Leader Jon Bramnick, quoted in Editorial Page Editor Randy Bergmann's column on the middle class Thursday, estimated that 60 to 70 percent find it a challenge to stay ahead of their bills.

In the weeks and months ahead, we will be paying increased attention to those challenges. We will be holding forums and panel discussions, soliciting contributions from readers, business leaders, academics and policy experts, conducting polls and, of course, examining through our own journalism which approaches truly benefit the middle class and which ones make living in New Jersey even more of a struggle.

Today, we are posting a series of articles online by USA TODAY NETWORK — New Jersey Business Writer Michael Diamond that examine some of the policies and programs available to those hoping to achieve, and retain, middle class status. He recounts individual success stories, details some of the programs, public and private, that have worked, and outlines some of the challenges facing the state moving forward. He also looks at how one's ZIP code in New Jersey helps determine the odds of entering and remaining in the middle class.

In the future, we will be looking for new ways to help keep the American dream alive for more New Jersey residents, and for policies that can enable members of the middle class, young and old, to continue living and thriving in New Jersey

We kicked off our focus on the middle class with Bergmann's column, which asked, "Are YOU part of Murphy's middle class." In a poll that accompanied the piece, we asked readers whether they thought they were being helped by Gov. Phil Murphy's policies, which he has repeatedly said are aimed at helping New Jersey's middle class and "aspiring middle class."

Eighty-seven percent of those responding said "No," another 10 percent said "Not sure," and just 3 percent said "Yes."

Asked to choose which of various incomes constituted the top and bottom ranges of New Jersey's middle class, the most frequently cited upper range was $120,000. But many indicated a much higher number: $150,000, $200,000 and up. The most common choices for the bottom range were $50,000 and $55,000. New Jersey's household median — the midpoint of incomes in the state — was about $80,000 in 2017.

The poll was not scientific, but it suggests a major disconnect between what Murphy says he is trying to do, and how the public perceives the impact of his policies on their lives.

A Monmouth University poll in February found a continued downward trend in New Jerseyans' satisfaction with their quality of life in the $100,000-plus income group, as well as with women, millennials and non-Hispanic whites. There was a slight decline among those earning $50,000 to $100,000.

Interestingly, there was a significant increase in satisfaction among those making less than $50,000.

The reasons behind those numbers deserve further examination. That is just one area we will be exploring. We hope you will join us in our attempts to find solutions that can help New Jersey's middle class can prosper together.