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Special Session July 28 - notes; Quinnipiac poll on how Trenton's Battle of the Budge for FY07 has been received by the public...Per GSCS - "While it looks like there will be few lazy summer days in Trenton, the opportunities to have a viable conversation with the public and to research questions - without being influenced by preconceived legislative positions - may be limited by time and sentiment. GSCS suggests you keep apprised of what's being promoted and spoken about from Trenton's perspective - stay informed and be ready to speak up when called."
GSCS Quick Facts:
Much of the approach has already been scripted by the legislature. Four legislative task forces are anticipated to be formed. They will study issues of school funding [already being referred to as school spending]; regionalization of school and municipal services [already framed by legislator leadership as being more a school problem and not so much a municipal issue]; pension & health benefits [talk of ‘tiering’ is in the midst] and structuring a citizen’s constitutional convention to act on property tax reform recommendations. The legislative task forces are to recommend legislation that support their summer study by the end of September. GSCS will not only follow the sessions but will interact in the studies and research as much
As noted on the GSCS website: GSCS supports the special session but has concerns and questions that will not go away. Some legislation has already been proposed to deal with property tax reform, so that when the Task Forces that follow the special session begin their hearings, the outcomes may already be prejudiced.
GSCS Quick Facts:
Much of the approach has already been scripted by the legislature. Four legislative task forces are anticipated to be formed. They will study issues of school funding [already being referred to as school spending]; regionalization of school and municipal services [already framed by legislator leadership as being more a school problem and not so much a municipal issue]; pension & health benefits [talk of ‘tiering’ is in the midst] and structuring a citizen’s constitutional convention to act on property tax reform recommendations. The legislative task forces are to recommend legislation that support their summer study by the end of September. GSCS will not only follow the sessions but will interact in the studies and research as much
As noted on the GSCS website: GSCS supports the special session but has concerns and questions that will not go away. Some legislation has already been proposed to deal with property tax reform, so that when the Task Forces that follow the special session begin their hearings, the outcomes may already be prejudiced. While it looks like there will be few lazy summer days in Trenton, the opportunities to have a viable conversation with the public and to research questions - without being influenced by preconceived legislative positions - may be limited by time and sentiment. GSCS suggests you keep apprised of what's being promoted and spoken about from
ON THE HOMEPAGE TODAY:
7-14-06 Quinnipiac releases poll on public take of
Click on to find out what the public's response is to the way legislators and the Governor handled & eventually resolved the State Budget crisis for FY07. Details are interesting and demonstrate a real breakdown of trust between
More ...
7-13-06 Articles - Property tax issues, teacher salaries, voucher suit filing
A continuing stream of news articles indicate that things are heating up at the Statehouse regarding ways to address property taxes. GSCS supports the special session but has concerns and questions that will not go away. Some legislation has already been proposed to deal with property tax reform, so that when the Task Forces that follow the special session begin their hearings, the outcomes may already be prejudiced. While it looks like there will be few lazy summer days in
More ...
7-12-06 Statehouse starts talking specifics about property tax reform
Headline - "Corzine lays out agenda on property tax reform - Governor targets revamping of local services and state school aid"
"...You don't have to be a genius or a rocket scientist to understand that all the proliferation of services isn't the most efficient way...," Corzine said.... (Senate President) Codey pointed out that municipalities have been sharing services going back 15 years, and said the real future savings are to be found in school districts... ...The governor said he was prepared to endure the political fallout from opening up the discussion, because the special session presented such a rare chance to affect change...."
More ...
7-12-06 It's Official - Governor appoints Lucille Davy as Education Commissioner
Star Ledger - Gov. sticks close to home to fill his Cabinet "...As acting commissioner, she has advocated a new school funding formula that more closely tracks actual student needs than the current formula does.....
"She was always one of the individuals who was at the top of the list," he (the governor) said. "She's done an outstanding job, (said Corzine)" ..... Lynne Strickland, executive director of the Garden State Coalition of Schools, said she has appreciated Davy's accessibility over the past several months. "We hope she will be given the latitude to listen to diverse and competing needs," she said....
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School Construction Symposium July 27, 2006 for Regular Operating Districs [Non Abbotts]
To GSCS members from Lynne Strickland: I am posting this invitation to you at the request of Jennifer Crea for Scott Weiner, Interim Acting head of the School Construction Corporation. This symposium NOTED BELOW is the opportunity for you to lend your knowledge and share information with the SCC about our districts' school facilities needs in terms of plant, and specifically in terms of funding. This is for all ROD districts, as well as those 'limbo' districts that have passed referenda since September '06. Please do not miss this opportunity if you are able to attend - the SCC has reported that it will be deciding on a needed funding amount for school construction & will recommend that number to the Governor by late August.
From the School Construction Corp: "This is just a reminder to RSVP - if you haven't already - for the July 27th School Construction Symposium for Non-Abbott and
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GSCS 2006-2007 DRAFT Meetings Calendar
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7-11-06 EMAILNET FYI
GSCS Meetings Calendar 2006-2007…Property Tax Special Session…FY07 Budget info
More ...
7-11-06 Talk of Special Session on Property Tax Reform
Trenton puts off property tax reform --- Just two days after the long battle over the state budget ended, Gov. Jon Corzine and legislative leaders yesterday agreed to wait until the end of the month to start what might turn out to be an even more acrimonious fight: finding ways to reduce property taxes..... The governor plans to address lawmakers in joint session July 28, or soon after, to kick off a special legislative session aimed at cutting
More ...
ON THE HOMEPAGE TODAY:
7-14-06 Quinnipiac releases poll on public take of
Click on to find out what the public's response is to the way legislators and the Governor handled & eventually resolved the State Budget crisis for FY07. Details are interesting and demonstrate a real breakdown of trust between
More ...
7-13-06 Articles - Property tax issues, teacher salaries, voucher suit filing
A continuing stream of news articles indicate that things are heating up at the Statehouse regarding ways to address property taxes. GSCS supports the special session but has concerns and questions that will not go away. Some legislation has already been proposed to deal with property tax reform, so that when the Task Forces that follow the special session begin their hearings, the outcomes may already be prejudiced. While it looks like there will be few lazy summer days in
More ...
7-12-06 Statehouse starts talking specifics about property tax reform
Headline - "Corzine lays out agenda on property tax reform - Governor targets revamping of local services and state school aid"
"...You don't have to be a genius or a rocket scientist to understand that all the proliferation of services isn't the most efficient way...," Corzine said.... (Senate President) Codey pointed out that municipalities have been sharing services going back 15 years, and said the real future savings are to be found in school districts... ...The governor said he was prepared to endure the political fallout from opening up the discussion, because the special session presented such a rare chance to affect change...."
More ...
7-12-06 It's Official - Governor appoints Lucille Davy as Education Commissioner
Star Ledger - Gov. sticks close to home to fill his Cabinet "...As acting commissioner, she has advocated a new school funding formula that more closely tracks actual student needs than the current formula does.....
"She was always one of the individuals who was at the top of the list," he (the governor) said. "She's done an outstanding job, (said Corzine)" ..... Lynne Strickland, executive director of the Garden State Coalition of Schools, said she has appreciated Davy's accessibility over the past several months. "We hope she will be given the latitude to listen to diverse and competing needs," she said....
More ...
School Construction Symposium July 27, 2006 for Regular Operating Districs [Non Abbotts]
To GSCS members from Lynne Strickland: I am posting this invitation to you at the request of Jennifer Crea for Scott Weiner, Interim Acting head of the School Construction Corporation. This symposium NOTED BELOW is the opportunity for you to lend your knowledge and share information with the SCC about our districts' school facilities needs in terms of plant, and specifically in terms of funding. This is for all ROD districts, as well as those 'limbo' districts that have passed referenda since September '06. Please do not miss this opportunity if you are able to attend - the SCC has reported that it will be deciding on a needed funding amount for school construction & will recommend that number to the Governor by late August.
From the School Construction Corp: "This is just a reminder to RSVP - if you haven't already - for the July 27th School Construction Symposium for Non-Abbott and
More ...
GSCS 2006-2007 DRAFT Meetings Calendar
More ...
7-11-06 EMAILNET FYI
GSCS Meetings Calendar 2006-2007…Property Tax Special Session…FY07 Budget info
More ...
7-11-06 Talk of Special Session on Property Tax Reform
Trenton puts off property tax reform --- Just two days after the long battle over the state budget ended, Gov. Jon Corzine and legislative leaders yesterday agreed to wait until the end of the month to start what might turn out to be an even more acrimonious fight: finding ways to reduce property taxes..... The governor plans to address lawmakers in joint session July 28, or soon after, to kick off a special legislative session aimed at cutting
More ...
