LD 13 Legislators Oppose School Funding Cuts
Senator Declan O’Scanlon, Assemblywoman Serena DiMaso, and Assemblyman Gerry Scharfenberger (R-Monmouth) today criticized Governor Murphy’s proposed school funding cuts, highlighting the exclusion of previously agreed upon special education increases.
Sen. O’Scanlon, Asw. DiMaso and Asm. Scharfenberger said Gov. Murphy’s proposed school funding cuts will do harm to educational quality and overburdened taxpayers. (Pixabay)
Those districts receiving cuts would lose approximately $158 million in aid under the proposed numbers.
Bill S-2, passed in 2018, phases in state aid adjustments to account for student population changes, and other factors, accumulated over a number of years. While some districts gain, others lose. District 13 legislators successfully argued for changes to the legislation to ameliorate the reductions. Their efforts have continued as S-2 has been implemented. They were critical proponents of an agreement with legislative leadership to phase in an additional $200 million in extraordinary special education aid which would help many districts cope with formula aid cuts. The Governor’s proposal excludes funding for that key agreement.
Bucco: Morris County School Aid Cuts Proposed by Murphy Will Deepen Property Tax Crisis
Trio of Morris County School Districts Will Have State Aid Slashed by $3.6 Million
Senator Anthony M. Bucco warned that $3.6 million of cuts in State aid to a trio of Morris County school districts proposed by Governor Phil Murphy will deepen New Jersey’s property tax crisis and drive more families from the Garden State.
Sen. Anthony M. Bucco warned that $3.6 million of cuts in State aid to a trio of Morris County school districts by Governor Phil Murphy will deepen New Jersey’s property tax crisis. (Pixabay)
“In a year when New Jersey will be spending record amounts on education, I’m extremely concerned that Governor Murphy is targeting some school districts in Morris County for major reductions in State aid,” said Bucco (R-25). “The governor’s cuts to local school funding will deepen our property tax crisis and drive more of our families to move to more affordable states.”
Editorial: Murphy’s Budget Giving NJ Residents Even More Reason to Leave
Senator Steven Oroho says Governor Phil Murphy’s proposed budget for FY21 gives New Jerseyans more reasons to leave the state in this Asbury Park Press editorial published on February 28, 2020:
New Jersey is facing a crisis of affordability that is driving young adults, families, and retirees from the Garden State.
Sen. Steven Oroho says Gov. Phil Murphy’s proposed budget for FY21 gives New Jerseyans more reasons to leave the state in this Asbury Park Press editorial. (©iStock.com)
Rather than offer solutions to tackle this crisis head-on in his state budget proposal for next year, Gov. Murphy has given New Jersey residents more reasons to leave.
District 24 Lawmakers Blast Murphy’s $8.6 Million Cut in Local School Aid
Senator Steven Oroho and Assemblymen Parker Space and Hal Wirths (all R-24) reacted to news that Governor Murphy’s proposed budget includes a dramatic decrease in state aid to schools within the 24th Legislative District.
Sen. Oroho and Assemblymen Space and Wirths are encouraging taxpayers, students, school districts, and educational professionals to join with them in opposing the draconian school funding cuts announced by the Murphy Administration. (Pixabay)
District 24, which includes towns in Sussex, Warren and Morris Counties, is slated to lose $8,597,764 in State school aid next school year under Governor Murphy’s proposed budget, according to documentation released by the State Department of Education. This comes on the heels of Murphy and the Democrat legislature slashing funding to school districts by over $5.5 million the previous year.
Governor’s Budget Address: More Spending, Taxes & Rigged School Funding Formula
Senator Christopher Connors, Assemblyman Brian Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne Gove offered the following remarks regarding Governor Murphy’s State Budget Address:
“Oblivious to the fact that taxpayers are already at their breaking point, Governor Murphy is rallying special interests around policies that will sidestep the needs and priorities of our constituents, namely tax relief and fairness in school funding.
Sen. Connors, Asm. Rumpf and Asw. Gove said Gov. Murphy’s Fiscal Year 2021 budget proves that he is oblivious to the fact New Jersey taxpayers are at their breaking point. (Pixabay)
“Based on this Administration’s track record to date, we have good reason to be skeptical about tax relief that will assist our constituents in any meaningful way. More likely, our constituents will be forced to subsidize the education of students living in other parts of the state or continue paying higher gas taxes to cover the costs of mass transit projects in North Jersey.
Testa: Murphy Must Commit to Stopping Raids on 9-1-1 Fees
Almost All Collected Fees are Misappropriated
Senator Michael Testa pressed Governor Phil Murphy on his strategy to improve 9-1-1 emergency services after the governor stated in his Budget Address that he would ensure money is in place to modernize New Jersey’s emergency response infrastructure.
Sen. Michael Testa pressed Gov. Phil Murphy on his strategy to improve 9-1-1 emergency services. (Flickr)
“Our county’s and town’s emergency services are on the front lines protecting the public, ensuring our families have access to quick, quality life-saving care,” said Testa (R-1). “The state gets a 90 cents surcharge on every telephone bill that is to be used to maintain emergency services, but in typical New Jersey fashion, most of the fees collected are spent elsewhere.
“I look forward to working with the Governor and my legislative colleagues to fully fund our local 9-1-1 systems and will continue advocating for a constitutional amendment to require 9-1-1 funds to be spent as intended,” Testa added.
Oroho: Murphy’s Massive $40B Budget Proposal Shows Need for Structural Reforms
Senator Steven Oroho (R-24) said the massive $40 billion budget proposed by Governor Phil Murphy for FY 2021 demonstrates the critical need to advance structural reforms to lower the cost of government in New Jersey.
Sen. Steven Oroho said the massive $40 billion budget proposed by Gov. Phil Murphy for FY 2021 demonstrates the critical need to advance structural reforms to lower the cost of government in New Jersey. (Wikimedia Commons)
“Governor Murphy spending plan is 5% larger than last year’s and 18% higher than when he took office,” said Oroho, the Senate Republican Budget Officer. “He’s already raised taxes by billions and proposed nearly a billion more in tax increases this year. What we haven’t seen from the governor is a genuine attempt to lower the real cost drivers in government.”
Kean: Murphy’s Budget Proposal Doesn’t Give People a Reason to Stay in NJ
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean said Governor Phil Murphy’s budget proposal for FY 2021 does nothing to encourage New Jersey families to stay in the Garden State.
Sen. Tom Kean said Gov. Phil Murphy’s budget proposal for FY 2021 does nothing to encourage New Jersey families to stay in the Garden State. (Pixabay)
“Anyone who’s looking for a plan to make New Jersey more affordable will be disappointed by a budget proposal from Governor Murphy that raises taxes and makes no effort to constrain costs,” said Kean (R-21). “In a year when state revenues are booming, the governor’s spending plan represents a missed opportunity to demonstrate fiscal discipline and provide real tax relief to New Jerseyans.”
Pennacchio: Murphy Budget Means More of the Same for New Jersey Taxpayers
‘Governor doesn’t get it. He ain’t New Jersey.’
Senator Joe Pennacchio said Governor Phil Murphy’s Fiscal Year 2021 budget proposed today does nothing to make New Jersey more affordable for residents frustrated by high taxes.
Sen. Joe Pennacchio called the Fiscal Year 2021 budget proposed today a sign that Gov. Murphy can’t relate to New Jersey taxpayers who struggle to live in the high-tax state. (SenateNJ.com)
“This was a failure by the Murphy Administration to address the state’s affordability crisis. At $40.85 billion, this budget is heavy on dollars, but light on sense.
“As tax-battered residents are fleeing the state in record numbers, as evidenced by study after study citing New Jerseyans by the thousands giving up and moving away, what we needed more than anything was a responsible revenue plan and meaningful spending cuts. Instead, Murphy is giving us new and higher taxes, and boosting the cost of government to historic levels.
Testa: Under Murphy Budget, South Jersey Gets Short End of the Stick
Senator Michael Testa issued the following statement in response to Governor Phil Murphy’s budget address:
Sen. Michael Testa issued the following statement in response to Gov. Phil Murphy’s budget address. (Pixabay)
“Gov. Murphy’s budget continues the Trenton trend of ripping off South Jersey. What we’re seeing are more tax hikes and spending increases that fall on the backs of hardworking families and businesses. Failing to rein in state government’s out-of-control spending will only lead to more New Jerseyans putting one foot out the door to greener pastures in more affordable states.
