Quality Public Education for All New Jersey Students

 

 
     6-24-11 Democrat Budget Proposal brings aid to all districts
     4-29-11 BOOMERANG! Near 80 per cent of School Budgets Passed in Wednesday'sSchool Elections
     4-21-11 Supreme Court hears school funding argument
     4-14-11 Governor Releases Legislation to Address Education Reform Package
     4-8-11 Education Issues in the News
     4-7-11 Early news coverage & press releases - Governor's Brooking Inst. presentation on his education reform agenda
     3-25-11 Education Week on School Cutbacks Around The Nation
     2-7-11 Education - and Controversy - in the News
     12-5-10 Sunday News - Education-related Issues
     10-8-10 Education Issue in the News
     9-1-10 Education in the News
     8-27-10 later morning - breaking news: Statehouse Bureau ‘Gov. Chris Christie fires N.J. schools chief Bret Schundler’
     8-27-10 Star Ledger ‘U.S. officials refute Christie on attempt to fix Race to the Top application during presentation’
     8-25-10 Race to the Top articles - the 'day after' news analysis
     8-16-10 Senate Education hears 'for discussion only' comments re expanding charter school authorization process; Commissioner Schundler relays education priorities to the Committee
     8-13-10 East Brunswick Public School seeks stay on Hatikvah Charter School opening this fall (re: Hatikvah not meeting minimum enrollment requirement)
     7-3-10 Governor Christie and Legislative leaders reached agreement today on a 2% property tax cap with 4 major exemptions
     7-1 and 2- 10 Governor Christie convened the Legislature to address property tax reform
     GSCS On the Scene in Trenton: State Budget poised to pass late Monday...Cap Proposals, Opportunity Scholarship Act in Limbo
     6-28-10 State Budget tops the news today
     GSCS On the Scene in Trenton: Cap Proposals, Opportunity Scholarship Act in Limbo
     6-23-10 Trenton News: State Budget on the move...Education Issues
     6-11-10 In the News: State Budget moving ahead on schedule
     6-10-10 Op-Ed in Trenton Times Sunday June 6 2010
     6-8-10 Education issues in the news today - including 'hold' on pension reform, round two
     6-8-10 (posted) Education & Related Issues in the News
     6-4-10 Education News
     4-23-10 Education issues remain headline news
     4-22-10 School Elections - in the News Today
     4-6-10 'Gov. Chris Chrisite extends dealdine for teacher salary concessions'
     4-6-10 'NJ school layoffs, program cuts boost attention to Apri 20 votes
     4-2-10 Press of Atlantic City lists county impact re: school aid reduction
     4-2-10 'On Titanic, NJEA isn't King of the World'
     4-1-10 Courier Post article reports on Burlington and Camden County district budgets
     4-1-10 Education in the News today
     4-1-10 New Initiatives outlined to encourage wage freezes - reaction
     3-30-10 Race to the Top winners helped by local buy-in
     3-29-10 The Record and Asbury Park Press - Editorials
     3-26-10 School Aid, Budget Shortfall - Impt Related Issues = Front Page News
     3-23-10 ' N.J. Gov. Chris Christie signs pension, benefits changes for state employees'
     3-23-10 State Budget Issues in the News
     3-17-10 Budget News - Gov. Chris Christie proposes sacrifices
     3-17-10 Budget News - NJ Schools Stunned By Cuts
     3-14-10 'Christie will propose constitutional amendment to cap tax hikes in N.J. budget'
     3-4-10 'School aid cuts unavoidable during NJ budget crisis'
     3-3-10 'Public Education in N.J.: Acting NJ Comm of Educ Bret Schundler says 'Opportunity'
     2-26-10 'NJ average property taxes grow 3.3 percent to an average of $7,300'
     2-24-10 'Tight funds raise class sizes that districts long sought to cut'
     2-22-10 Christie and unions poised to do batttle over budget cuts'
     2-19-10 'Acting NJ education commissioner hoping other savings can ward off cuts'
     2-22-10 Trenton Active Today
     2-16-10 'Christie Adopts Corzine Cuts, Then Some'
     1-29-10 Schools in the News
     1-20-10 'N.J. files application for federal Race to the Top education money'
     1-20-10 Editorials, Commentary on New Governor in Trenton
     1-15-10 Education News-Race to the Top incentives, NCLB annual results, supermajority vote upheld
     1-14-10 'N.J. Gov.-elect Christie targets teachers' union with Schundler appointment'
     1-14-10 'To lead schools, Christie picks voucher advocate'
     1-13-10 More articles, plus Wikipedia information re New Education Commissioner, Bret Schundler
     1-13-10 More articles + Wikipedia information re New Education Commissioner, Bret Schundler
     1-13-10 Christie Press Conference reports
     1-12-10 Change in Trenton
     1-6-10 Race to the Top Plans on the move, not without conflict
     12-23-09 Press of Atlantic City - 'Corzine forms panel to aid nonpublic schools'
     1-5-10 News articles re: lame duck
     1-4-10 'Last Call for Lame Ducks in Trenton'
     1-5-10 Update on January 4 Lame Duck Session
     12-28-09 Education Week 'Race to Top' Driving Policy Action Across States
     12-27-09 'New Jersey competes for education reform stimulus money' (aka 'Race to the Top' funds)
     12-20-09 Education in the News
     12-12 & 13-09 Education Issues in the News
     11-29-09 Ramifications - News of NJ's fiscal realities
     11-20-09 'Christie lays down his law for state'
     11-13-09 Education Week on: Gov-elect Christie's Education Agenda; Race to the Top Funds Rules
     11-12-09 Governor-elect Christie names his 10 member transition team
     11-11-09 'Oliver ready for Nov.23 leadership vote, wants up or down vote on marriage equality'
     11-11-09 Christie mum on fiscal emergency declaration
     11-9-09 Edcuation in the News
     11-8-09 News of Note
     11-6-09 News of Note
     11-5-09 Day After the Election News
     11-3-09 ELECTION DAY IS TODAY - SHOW UP AND VOTE FOR THE CANDIDATES OF YOUR CHOICE
     11-2-09 NY Times NJ Governors' race update
     11-4-09 Record low turnout elects Chris Chrisite NJ's Governor
     11-3-09 'Chris Christie wins N.J. governor race'
     11-1-09 Education News of Note
     Education Week on Federal Stimulus Funding Issues
     10-26-09 'High school sports spending grows as budgets get tighter inNew Jersey'
     10-22-09 News of Note
     10-20-09 News of Note
     10-19-09 Education Week 'States felling fiscal pain despite the stimulus'
     10-14-09 'Meetings are just the tip of the iceberg'
     10-7 & 9-09 Gubernatorial Campaign news: Candidates on education; Corzine on next year's state budget
     10-5-09 Gannett: Editorial & Recommendations re: Gubernatorial Campaign Issues '09
     10-4-09 NY Times 'As Property Taxes Become a Real Burden'
     10-2-09 News of Note
     10-1-09 Education Week on Acheivement Gap narrowing; Algebra Testing
     9-30-09 'Attack ads give way to issues as campaign enters final phase'
     9-30-09 Results of School Construction bond referenda rolling in
     9-27-09 Education News of Note
     9-23-09 'Tests changing for special ed students'
     9-16-09 Courier News Editorial
     9-9-09 News of Note
     9-13-09 As an issue for N.J.(Gubernatorial election), schools are in'
     9-3 & 4-09 News of Note
     8-20-09 'Nearly all NJ teachers are highly qualified'
     8-10-09 News of Note
     8-7-09 'Bill would strengthen teacher tenure rights'
     8-4-09 Recent NJ Education News of Note
     7-22-09 'State gives extra aid for schools an extraordinary boost'
     7-16-08 Schools Testing measures adopted; Test scoring upgraded - harder to pass
     7-14-09 Philadelphia Inquirer Editorial
     7-1-09 What's the Buzz: News of Note
     4-23-09 The public shows its support for public education in passing nearly 75 per cent of school budgets statewide
     4-17-09 The $609M Federal Stimulus aid to NJ - initial reactions
     4-19 and 20-09 Editorial and School Elections articles
     3-29-09 Record Editorial on Judge Doyne recommendations
     3-10-09 GOVERNOR TO DELIVER STATE BUDGET MESSAGE TODAY - SCHOOL AID FIGURES TO BE RELEASED BY THURSDAY LATEST
     1-11-09 'Corzine State of State speech to put economy front & center'
     12-28-08 NY Times 'Pension Fight Signals What Lies Ahead'
     12-29-08 NJ to new leaders - Fund our schools
     11-19-08 'Too soon to scrap Abbott'
     11-24-08 Editorial asks for preschool initiative slow down
     11-23-08 State lacks financial incentives to sell concept of school mergers
     9-24-08 Editorials re High School Redesign issues
     9-24-08 Commissioner of Education at Assembly Education Committee yesterday
     9-24-08 Supreme Court hearing on constitutionality of School Funding Reform Act
     8-29-08 'Newly hired teachers benefit from Corzine delay'
     8-26-08 What's the Buzz...
     News on the Issues - Stay Informed
     8-15-08 'Superintendents sue education commissioner'
     8-14-07 In the news today
     7-28 &29- 08 Fuel cost crisis impacting school budgets across the nation
     6-13-08 News on Education Committee actions yesterday in Trenton
     6-10-08 NJ lawmakers work on $33B spending plan Tuesday
     6-9-08 GSCS Quick Facts: TRENTON FOCUS THIS WEEK
     6-4-08 In the News
     5-21-08 News Articles & editorial
     4-30-08 'Loophole on town mergers targeted
     4-18 & 4-21-08 RECENT LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS: 3 MAJOR POLICY CHANGES PROMOTED BY ASSEMBLY SPEAKER ROBERTS
     NEWS EDITORIALS Star Ledger 4-19 & 4-20 Ammo for Abbott Foes & Spending but with Restraint
     Recent news articles of note re: probable 'lame duck ' legislative session issues - to be or not to be- and controversial school construction report
     10-23 Media reports & Trenton responses to date re GSCS Press Conf
     In the news - Corzine on school aid formula & good news for urban schools
     9-13-07Corzine adds school aid to the lame-duck agenda
     Back to School News of Note
     8-10-07 'Standing 'O' greets Corzine as he hosts town hall mtg'
     8-8-07 Editorial 'School [construction] program needs more than a facelift'
     8-2-07 Editorial 'Reliance on property taxes must be fixed'
     8-1-07 'Paterson isn't ready to gain control' & 7-29 'The Numbers still don't add up'
     7-27-07 Retiree health costs 'time bomb'
     7-26-07 'State's tab for retirees' health care is $58B'
     7-25-07 Debate over School Tests
     7-25-07 NY Times '2 NJ school districts regain some local control'
     6-29-07 Lots of news affecting NJ, its schools and communities this week - STATE BUDGET signed - LIST OF LINE ITEM VETOES - US SUPREME CT RULING impacts school desgregation - SPECIAL EDUCATION GROUPS file suit against state
     5-21-07 In Connecticut '2 School Aid Plans Have a Similar Theme'
     5-16-07 Education Week 'Frustration Builds in NJ Funding Debate'
     5-15-07 Grad students tackle school funding issues
     4-18-07 School Budget Vote passed statewide at 78% rate - GSCS take: state aid increases a factored in offsetting property tax increases, thus boosting passing rate by 24.6%, up from last year's passing rate of 53.4%
     4-4-07 News articles, editorial & Op-Ed on bill signings for A1 and A4
     4-4-07 N Y Times, front page 'NJ Pension Fund Endangered by Diverted Billions'
     3-25-07 New York Times on NJ Comparative Spending Guide, more on Gov putting off signing A1, Tax Caps & Rebate bill
     3-16-07 News articles
     3-15-07 State eases at risk aid restrictions & 25% members of NJ Senate retiring (so far)
     3-12-07 This article tells you why you cannot get easy access to legislator votes on-line
     3-8-07 'Education Chief Revamps Department'
     3-1-07 Op Ed piece re 'Super' Superintendent in the CORE Plan
     3-1-07 Emerging Devil showing up in the details
     2-23-07 News Articles re Gov's Budget Proposal
     2-22-07 Gov's Budget Message Link & Related News Articles
     2-22-07 News articles re Governor's Budget Message this morning
     2-21-07 Associated Press 'Codey Affirms More State Aid'
     2-16 to 2-19 News Articles of Note
     2-20-07 Live from the Ledger on-line
     2-21-07 Associated Press - Codey Affrims More School Aid
     2-16 to 2-19 New Articles of Note
     2-15-07 'Parents get boost on special ed rights' Star Ledger
     2-12-07 State School Aid - needed to offset property taxes now
     2-8-07 Editorial - ' Progress, Trenton style'
     2-1-07 Turnpike for sale, Gov - need funding formula, more
     1-23-07 Tax Reform in Trenton?
     1-9-07 Countywide Pilot Program and County 'Super' Superintendent bills held again yesterday, Jan 22 next probable vote date scheduled for these bills
     1-8-07 Articles & Editorial talk about 'missing pieces' of tax reform proposal and note consequences
     1-5-07 Small-town officials protest consolidation
     1-4-07 Gov Corzine & legislative leaders agree on 4% hard cap tied to sliding scale rebates (20% max on down)
     1-3-07 GSCS Member ALERT 'County School bills' fastracked again
     12-19-06 Feedback - articles on school funding heaings yesterday
     12-18-06 Sunday editorials - take of Property Tax session
     12-14-06 Trenton News articles
     11-15-06 The Special Session Jt Committee Reports
     11-19-06 Sunday Press Articles & Commentaries
     11-16-06 Property Tax Proposal news articles
     11-14-06 Direction of Special Session Report Recommendations starting to leak into press articles
     11-13-06 Schools, property taxes fuel debates
     11-11-06 New school funding plan could add $1 billion in aid
     11-10-06 NJ education chief vows urban support
     11-4-06 Senate President & Assembly Speaker 'no new taxes'
     11-1-06 Gannett 'Halved property tax called unrealistic'
     10-31-06 The Record - Property Tax Cut Debated
     10-30-06 NY Times
     10-21-06 Education Data Study Released - how the news is being reported
     10-20-06 Education - study data released
     10-5-06 Conversation on school funding, consolidation continues
     9-25-06 Savings Little -Costs at merged schools similar
     9-20-06 Coverage of the benefits & School Funding Jt Comm hearings 9-19-06
     9-18-06 News Articles re Special Session
     9-15-06 Star Ledger - 3.25B suggested for school construction
     9-7-06 The Record Local Govts Poised to save as co-pays rise
     9-7-06 News re Jt Comm on Consolidation & Shared Services mtg 9-5
     9-6-06 Articles re Jt Comm Hearing yesterday & related school news
     9-4-06 Weekend news articles of note
     8-29-06 School Funding to be reviewed today
     8-29-06 Assoc Press - School Funding to be reviewd today
     8-29-06 Hopewell Valley article re - courtesy busing withdrawal
     8-26-06 'N.J.'s best schools in wealthiest, northern towns'
     8-23-06 Crowd assails changes to state health plan
     8-23-06 Live from the Ledger on-line
     8-20-06 AP 'Property Tax reform bid to shift to overdrive'
     8-22-06 Star Ledger Column & NY Times Editorial
     8-14-06 News Clips
     8-9-06 Special Session Jt Comm on Consolidation of Govt Services meeting 8-8-06
     8-9-06 article re today's Jt Comm on Public Employee Benfits Reform
     8-8-06 NY Times Public Pension Plans Face Billions in Shortage
     7-25-06 Associated Press Prop Tax Q & A
     7-18-06 Live from the Ledger
     7-16-06 (thru 7-21-06) Bergen Record series investigate cost of NJ public services & property tax link
     7-16-06 Bergen Record series investigate cost of NJ public services & property tax link
     7-12-06 Column on State Budget legislator items
     7-12-06 Statehouse starts talking specifics about property tax reform
     7-13-06 Articles - Property tax issues, teacher salaries, voucher suit filing
     6-30-06 State Budget news - as the dissonance must be resolved
     6-29-06 Mirroring the elements, State Budget looking like a 'natural disaster'
     6-25-06 State Budget issues: legislative branches conflict - news articles
     6-21-06 Star Ledger - Washington DC Bureau re graduation rates & quality education
     6-20-06 News articles re State Budget FY07
     6-15-06 Star Ledger, Gannet articles- Abbott advocates demand school reform at educ. dept
     6-14-06 Assembly Minority Budget Leader Joe Malone's Op Ed
     Editorial on benefit of using UEZ surplus for spec educ aid for this year
     6-12-06 News Clips
     Weekend News Clips re Property Tax & School Funding issues
     6-9-06 Star Ledger ' Salary review bill hits roadblock'
     6-7-06 News Articles re Leg Summer Session work on Property Taxes
     6-6-06 Star Ledger re Special Summer Session
     6-5-06 Editorials on school funding & State Budget articles
     6-1-06 Star Ledger Thursday article on GSCS Annl Mtg
     5-30-06 News Articles
     5-21-06 Sunday Courier Post on Schools' hiring
     5-23-06 News Articles
     5-23-06 AP 'Codey to propose school ballott change'
     5-14-06N Y Times 'For school budgets the new word is NO'
     5-17-06 Trenton Times - School Aid, budget dominate forum
     5-16-06 News fromTrenton
     5-10-06 A Lot is going on - Major News fromTrenton
     News articles re even less state revenue & SCI scapegoating
     5-5-06 News articles Gannett and Courier Post
     One example of schools consolidating services
     4-16-06 Courier Post
     4-16-06 Star Ledger editorial & article re Gov v. Abbott from 4-15-06
     4-16-06 Sunday NY Times Metro Section, front page
     40-16-06 Gannett & Asbury Park Press on School Budget election issues
     4-13-06 'Budget cap puts NJ schools on edge'
     4-7-07 The Record
     3-31-06 AP 'Budget idea puts onus on income taxes, businesses'
     3-28-06 NY Times re Texas school finance case
     3-25-06 Press of Atlantic City
     3-29-06 News Articles on State Budget testimony before the Assembly Budget Comm. yesterday in Collingswood
     3-29-06 News Articles on State Budget testimony in Collingswood 3-28-06
     3-10-06 Star Ledger 'Time is ripe for poorer districts to contribute.
     3-22-06 News Article sampling on Governor's Proposed FY07 Budget
     3-19-06 Millville, Vineland may lose Abbott status
     3-19-06 Sunday News Articles on State Budget
     3-15-06 News articles on FY07
     3-15-06 NY Times 'Crisis at School Agency Reflects Missteps'
     3-10-06 News articles GSCS related issues
     3-7-06 More articles on the Gov's Budget Summit and School Board members fo to Trenton
     2-14-06 TrentonTimes Letter to the Editor on school construction
     2-11-06 Trenton Timesn'NJ State Budget has little wiggle room'
     2-9-06 Star Ledger School agency reformers discuss goals, problems
     2-10-06 Star Ledger editorial re void of credible & useful data at Department of Education
     FUNDING HISTORY - May 27 1998 - Education Week article re Abbott V - funding above parity
     1-26-06 New York Times article re public schools fundraising for private support
     1-25-06 Star Ledger 'School District's Woes Point to Rising Tax Resistance'
     1-24-06 Asbury Park Press 'Funding sparks heated debate'
     1-15-06 Sunday Star Ledger front page on Property Taxes
     1-12-06 Star Ledger 'Lawmaker pushes tax relief plan'
     1-12-06StarLedger 'Lawmaker pushes his tax relief plan'
     1-11-06 Star Ledger - Corzine Casts Wide Net for Cabinet
     1-6 thru 1-9-06 articles on Lameduck session and School Construction
     1-5-06 Monmouth county article on S1701 ramifications,examples - hitting hard at home
     1-1-06 Press of Atlantic City
     12-30-05 School Construction and Education Funding news clips
     12-20-05 Star Ledger on NJ Supreme Court decision on stalled school construction
     12-20-05 Star Ledger 'Schools lower the heat and risk a backlash'
     12-20-05 Star Ledger
     12-20-05 The Record 'Where Will the Bills End?' NJ Supreme Court releases its opinion on stalled school construction program.
     12-14-05 Asbury ParkPress Editorial 'Re-assess the ABC's of School Funding' notes the Governor's role is critical to make positive change
     12-16-05 Star Ledger Schools may end courtesy busing, tied to S1701 budget stressors
     12-16-05 News articles of note
     Trenton Times 6-25-05 State Budget FY06 and Democrat Tensions
     Activists Hope to Revive School Funding Issue
     12-15-05 Star Ledger School bond plans get resounding 'no'
     Time Magazine
     12-10-05 Star Ledger Schools might get heating help as bill gains on spending caps
     On Star Ledger
     12-8-05 Asbury Park Press Mom takes up the torch for school funding
     12-5-05 Governor-elect Corzine selects policy advisory groups
     11-28-05 Star Ledger 'It's Lame-duck time in Trenton'
     11-20-05 Sunday Star Ledger 'Corzine's risky promise to taxpayers
     The Record 11-18-05 Corzine's tax fix to mean 'pain'
     11-17-05 Trenton Times 'Education Chief announces testing overhaul'
     11-15-05 N Y Times article
     11-13-05 Star Ledger Sunday front page 'Blueprint for 6 Billion Dollar Boondagle
     11-14-05 The Record Herb Jackson on Whitman experience a lesson for Corzine
     11-11-05 Trenton Times Corzine puts property taxes at the top of his agenda
     11-9-05 The Record - Governor Elect can't claim a mandate
     Assoc. Press NJ 6-10-05 Codey Brokering Deal on Tax Convention
     Gubernatorial Candidates' Education Plans announced September 05
     November 9 The Trenton Times - Corzine Triumphs
     November 7 YOUR VOTE TOMORROW COUNTS ... Some news articles worth reading
     11-4-05 Star Ledger State Board of Education calls for revamping school funding
     10-23-05 Sunda Star Ledger article on how property taxes work
     10-4-05 Trenton Times NJ may replenish school building fund.
     10-16-05 Sunday Star Ledger & Gannet news articles on gubernatorial candidates take on important issues related to public education issues
     10-19-05 Courier Post-Gannett article on Gubernatorial Debate
     Groups Seek Attention from Candidates 10-12-05
     10-6-05 and 10-12-05 Forrester v. Corzine, Corzine v. Forrester articles
     10-4-05 Trenton Times School Construction fund may be replenished
     9-29-05 Star Ledger 'NJ in hole for $53M after vote on school funds promised for construction
     9-26-05 Star Ledger School Construction Making the Grade is Now Up to the Voters
     9-22-05 Some news articles on the press conference - Gannett and Star Ledger
     9-23-05 Star Ledger School Construction on next Tuesday's bond referenda
     9-12-05 Associated Press Rutgers initiates new education institute
     9-9-05 Trenton Times,Corzine Education Agenda
     9-9-05 Asbury Park Press Corzine plans 25M education agenda
     Star Ledger 9-9-05 Soaring gas costs result in towns asking for cap relief
     Star Ledger 8-31-05: Though few, new schools open doors for kids
     8-19-05 Head of School Construction Agency Resigns Abruptly, Compounding Agency Turmoil
     Trenton Times 8-12-05 School funding sought
     Star Ledger Front Page 8-16-02 School districts run for school construction aid
     Herb Jackson Column 7-18-05 Budget 'cuts' more a case of creative math
     Herb Jackson Column 7-18-05 Budget 'cuts' more a case of creative math
     The Record 'get's it' Read Editorial 7-14-05
     Star Ledger 7-13-05 Codey Puts Constitutional Convention on Hole
     The Record7-10-05 Sunday Front Page Must Read
     Star Ledger 7-7-05 Local school officials told state may not provide promised construction funding
     The Record 7-3-05 State Budget Doles Out Money
     The Record 7-4-05 Rebates safe, but tax problem not nearer solution
     The Check it out - Press of Atlantic City 7-6-05 Education Funds lie in Budget Fine Print
     Star Ledger 7-2-05 Late Night Budget Passes
     The Record 7-2-05 State Budget Passes
     Gannet 7-2-05 State Budget and School Aid
     Asbury Park Press 6-28-05 Senate Passes $20M for 5 school districts
     Philadelphia Inquirer 6-30-05 Dueling Budgets Will Miss Deadline
     Asbury Park Press 6-30-05 No Consensus in Trenton on Spending Plan
     Trenton Times 6-30-05 School Construction Review Panel Formed
     Star Ledger 6-30-05 State Budget Finale on Hold
     Star Ledger 6-29-05 Bid to Save Tax Rebates Imperils NJ Budget
     The Record 6-29-05 Tax Plan Quitely Dying
     Trenton Times 6-25-05 State Budget and Democrat Tensions
     Star Ledger 6-17-05 Seniors want tax convention, Senate prefers Special Session
     050618 Press of Atlantic City 'Activists Look to Revisit School Funding Issue
     6-16-05 Philadelphia Inquirer Commission Librera Releases Abbott Designation Report
     Star Ledger 6-4-05 GSCS Annual Meeting Forrester & Schundler
     Assoc. Press NJ 6-10-05 Codey Brokering Deal on Tax Convention
     Star Ledger 6-14-05 Legislators Assail School Building Agency at Hearing
     Star Ledger 6-13-05 Legislators Assail School Construction Corp
     Trenton Times 6-10-05 Rebate Debate on Budget for FY06
     Star Ledger June 3 2005 Advance article, Annual Meeting noted
     Gannet on Annual Meeting 6-4-05 Forrester, Schundler Address School Concerns
     Gannet on Annual Meeting 6-4-05 Candidates Address School Concerns
     Assocated Press, In the Homestrech Forrester and Schundler Talk Education
     Class Sizes Disappoint Glen Ridge Parents
     SCC reforms underway 'Jump Starting the Effort to build New Schools' Star Ledger May26 2005.
     Trenton Times 5-24-05 Codey Plans for Less Pain in Budget
     Preliminary School Election Results from NJ Dept of Education
     Jersey Journal article
     State Health Benefit Plan Star Ledger 4-8-05
     Taxes, ire both on rise
     NJ lawmakers want the state to join education law protest
     Panel Tells of Referenda Woes
     GSCS Parent Leader Molly Emiliani-Livingston & GSCS Director Lynne Strickland present to Pennsylvania Bucks County
     Hopewell valley School Board Approves $63M Budget
     Schools will seek Extra Funding
     Rebate Panic
     Lack of funds amid surplus of concerns
     Enrollment Dip Hurts Special Schools
     Costly School Site Fiasco Spurs Assembly Measure
     Teacher Seeks Family to Fight Abbott Rulings
     Panel OKs Constitutional Convention on Tax Reform
     Jersey Halts New Pacts for School Construction
     Schools Face Enrollment, Aid Dilemma
     Cut is sought in Abbott District Aid
     Local News - Cuts plentiful in NJ budget proposal
     Amid probe, agency to cut school costs
     Acting governor faces tough sledding on deficit
     Parents Give Cody an Earful
     Courier Post Online
     Article Mt Laurel GSCS Summit 2-10-05
     Bill to loosen school budgets altered
     WNBC Interview
     Educators urge parents to fight school spending cap
     Assembly Panel Weighs Plan for a Property Tax Convention
     Tax-reform debate takes sharp turn
     School funding plan gets OK from panel
     Legislature Acts to Revamp School Spending Caps
     Educators to Argue for Repeal of Cap Law
     State must devise tests to comply with No Child Left Behind
2-16 to 2-19 New Articles of Note
Corzine aims to avoid tax hikes,insiders say He also plans to balance budget w/o selling the Turnpike Sunday, Feb. 18, 2007 Star-Ledger

Corzine expected to deliver budget Officials mum about specific proposals Asbury Park Press on 02/19/07 THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Poll: People don't expect much from property tax reform Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 02/18/07

State contract talks hit a hurdle on early-retirement issue Saturday, February 17, 2007 Star-Ledger

Corzine aims to avoid tax hikes, insiders say

He also plans to balance budget without selling the Turnpike

Sunday, February 18, 2007

BY JOE DONOHUE AND DEBORAH HOWLETT

Star-Ledger Staff

Last year he insisted on raising the sales tax to help balance the state budget. This year Gov. Jon Corzine has a different goal: to produce the first budget in six years with no tax increase.

All the numbers haven't been crunched yet, but administration and legislative officials say Corzine is pushing to avoid new taxes in a year when the Senate and Assembly are up for election.

The budget Corzine plans to unveil Thursday also is not expected to include selling, leasing or borrowing against major state assets like the New Jersey Turnpike -- but several sources said the governor is zeroing in on such a plan for future years.

Legislative leaders say they are counting on the governor to propose several hundred million extra dollars for schools. Senate President Richard Codey (D-Essex) said he was told there would be an increase in aid for all school districts, urban and suburban alike.

"Everybody this year will get some bones," Codey said. "It's nothing dramatic, but certainly welcome after five years" in which most districts have seen state aid essentially frozen.

Revenue growth that normally occurs when residents' incomes rise will help Corzine close a projected budget gap of $2 billion. But an assortment of spending cuts also will be needed, said an administration source who asked not to be identified because the governor's address is supposed to be the first official word of the budget. The official confirmed a no-new-taxes budget is the goal, but refused to elaborate on cuts because final decisions are still being made.

Lawmakers in both parties agreed the Democratic governor should forsake tax increases.

"I think it's essential there be no new taxes, and I'm hopeful the governor is able to recommend a budget that does not create new taxes or raise existing taxes," said Assembly Speaker Joseph Roberts (D-Camden), who also said he would insist on more school aid.

"Over the last six years, we have raised virtually every tax in New Jersey and as a result, people are leaving New Jersey," said Senate Minority Leader Leonard Lance (R-Hunterdon). "Under no circumstances should taxes be increased further."

Whether the budget will be entirely devoid of new "revenue-raisers" is not yet settled, however. Assemblyman Louis Greenwald (D-Camden), chairman of the Assembly Budget Committee, said administration officials have not ruled out reviving a tax on hospital beds that was killed last year by the Legislature. But he said they also were looking at other options to boost funding for financially ailing hospitals. "They would go down that (bed tax) road only because they believe it's in the best interest of the industry," Greenwald said.

Treasury Department officials are continuing to put finishing touches on the spending plan for the fiscal year that begins July 1. It is likely to be in the $33 billion range, up from the current year's $30.8 billion.

"The broad framework of the budget has been put together, and the administration and the governor are now finalizing the details," said Corzine spokesman Brendan Gilfillan. "The budget will reflect the governor's continuing commitment to fiscal responsibility, to targeted investments to help our most vulnerable citizens and to delivering substantial property tax relief to New Jersey homeowners and renters."

The biggest goodie in the package for voters -- a $2.2 billion property tax relief program -- has already been approved by the Legislature. It would provide credits of up to 20 percent of most homeowners' tax bills this fall. The money for that will come from the rebate program it replaces and revenue set aside from the sales tax increase.

That includes $700 million in sales tax revenue held over from the current year's budget -- a bonus that will not recur in future years. That is one reason the Corzine administration is studying ways to tap state assets like the Turnpike and Lottery for ready cash. Treasurer Bradley Abelow is expected to lay out detailed options within several days of the budget speech.

Four legislators and three lobbyists have told The Star-Ledger they have either been told by the governor directly, or given strong indications, that Corzine is leaning in favor of a deal that involves the Turnpike -- but without turning it over to private operators.

Instead, they said, the administration is exploring ways to leverage surplus toll revenues into a multibillion-dollar windfall while keeping the Turnpike under state control. The sources spoke on condition of anonymity to avoid upstaging the governor's announcement. Gilfillan said only that the governor is awaiting the treasurer's recommendations, adding "no decision has been made at this point."

Gilfillan confirmed the Treasury Department soon will hire consultants to study how to bolster the state's ailing horse racing industry when a casino subsidy expires late this year. One option: installation of video lottery terminals at the three tracks, as has been done in other states.

Besides fattening racing purses to help the tracks, that could provide extra cash for the budget -- as much as $500 million a year by some estimates.

Codey, one of the racing industry's leading advocates, said he was pleased the administration plans to explore ways to preserve it. Video lottery "obviously has to be number one on the charts with all your competition now doing it," he said.

Barbara DeMarco, spokeswoman for the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association Inc., said installing terminals at state-run race tracks not only would provide a short-term boost but would triple their value to more than $1 billion should the state decide to sell them. Without new funding, she added, "we're doomed."

Corzine was originally scheduled to give his budget speech Feb. 27, but moved it up five days so he can attend the National Governor's Association conference in Washington, D.C. As a result, administration officials say, full budget details may not be available until the original date.

Not since 2001, when Republicans controlled the Statehouse, has a state budget avoided significantly higher taxes.

Last year, Corzine raised taxes nearly $2 billion to help close a budget gap that had been estimated at $4.5 billion. The biggest increase came from raising the sales tax from 6 percent to 7 percent and extending it to more goods and services.

Corzine's insistence on that tax increase led to a standoff with the Legislature that shut down state government for a week. The eventual deal dedicated half the revenue from the increase to property tax relief.

While Democrats are hoping for election-year harmony, one potential sore point could be whether Corzine will consider dedicating the other half of the sales tax increase to property tax relief. Roberts, who pushed for that last year, said he will continue to press his case.

"I feel very strongly we need to pursue that," Roberts said. "We need to assure stability and certainty to the property relief we are providing this year. I think dedicating the additional half penny is the best way to do that."

Staff writer John Mooney contributed to this report. Joe Donohue may be reached at jdonohue@starledger.com or (609) 989-0208. Deborah Howlett may be reached at dhowlett@starledger.com or (609) 989-0273.

 

Corzine keeps patriotic holidays in the public school classrooms

Friday, February 16, 2007

Star-Ledger Staff

Gov. Jon S. Corzine signed a bill yesterday that would continue the teaching of Veterans Day, Memorial Day, Presidents Day, Columbus Day and Commodore Barry Day in New Jersey public schools.

The bill, designed to eliminate a variety of unnecessary mandates imposed upon schools, includes recommendations made by the governor when he conditionally vetoed the original version on Jan. 29.

The original bill was criticized by veterans groups because it would have eliminated the requirement that schools teach about Memorial Day and Veterans Day. Corzine responded by returning those holidays and several others. The bill was intended to reduce property taxes by eliminating costly mandates on schools.

The bill (A-17) was sponsored by Assemblywoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-Mercer) and Sen. John Adler (D-Camden).

Corzine expected to deliver budget

Officials mum about specific proposals

Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 02/19/07

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

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TRENTON — Gov. Corzine will unveil his budget plan Thursday, and though his administration has said little about his expected proposal, lawmakers have made it clear they don't want to see proposed tax increases.

Thursday's address marks Corzine's second since becoming governor, this time amid a projected $2 billion budget deficit. His first plan sparked a fight with fellow Democrats in the Legislature, leaving the state without a budget for a week and closing state government in July.

Legislative Democrats say they don't want to repeat last year's fight, but also are hoping Corzine doesn't propose tax increases to help resolve the budget hole.

They already have denounced Corzine's reconsideration of a proposed tax on hospital beds that legislators opposed last year. The proposal would raise money to help hospitals pay for treating people who lack health insurance.

Treasurer Bradley Abelow has said he doesn't expect the administration to propose increasing the state's major taxes, such as the income, sales and corporate income levies.

Overall, last year's $31 billion budget increased taxes about $1.8 billion, the largest amount of any state in the nation. That money helped erase a $4.5 billion budget hole.

Though the budget plan hasn't been unveiled, it should include $2.3 billion for a plan to slice the nation's highest property taxes by 20 percent for most homeowners.

Corzine would like to revive plans first proposed last year to cut taxes for 614,000 families who earn less than $30,000 per year.

"The budget will reflect the governor's continuing commitment to fiscal responsibility . . . to delivering substantial property tax relief to New Jersey homeowners and renters," Corzine spokesman Brendan Gilfillan said.

Legislators want to see the other half of the money raised by last year's sales tax increase also devoted to property tax relief, though Corzine hasn't committed himself to the idea.

Lawmakers also have said they want state aid to public schools increased to help control property taxes.

Corzine may consider increased public school aid by about 4 percent, or about $400 million. It would be the first state aid increase for schools in five years and will serve as interim help while a new school funding formula is developed.

"I would rather work to make sure that we have an appropriate funding formula than one sooner," Corzine said recently.

Corzine and legislators also are hoping a new contract agreement with state worker unions can be reached before Thursday so it can be included in the budget plan.

What likely won't be in the budget address is a plan to sell or lease state assets to raise money to cut $2.7 billion in debt owed next fiscal year.

While the administration has been considering such ideas, officials have said the issue is too complex and important to be rushed so it can be included in the budget plan.

Possibilities include selling development and naming rights to state properties and leasing toll roads.

Poll: People don't expect much from property tax reform

Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 02/18/07

BY JONATHAN TAMARI
GANNETT STATE BUREAU

TRENTON — Most New Jerseyans don't expect much out of the final package of property tax reforms, according to results of a Monmouth University/Gannett New Jersey poll.

Only one in 10 residents believe they will see "significant savings" as a result of the nearly seven-month push to reform property taxes, and about the same amount believe the tax relief will be long-lasting, according to the poll of 654 residents.

Nine percent of those surveyed on the property tax issue believed they would see "significant savings" from the final reform package, which is nearing completion; 45 percent expect "small savings," while 38 percent don't think they will get any relief.

"The message is pretty clear: New Jersey doesn't believe that they're going to get anything real out of these property tax plans," said Patrick Murray, director of the Monmouth University Polling Institute.

Murray said previous polls showed widespread public skepticism even before the reform effort began. "Our polling showed they got what they expected," he said.

About 12 percent of those surveyed believe property tax relief will be long-lasting, 47 percent said it will be short-term, and 34 percent expect nothing.

Among a handful of people interviewed further on the issue, nearly everyone focused on the enhanced property tax rebates, expected to average $1,051 but with wide variations based on income and taxes paid.

To some, like Manalapan resident Frank Marchesi, any relief is welcome, even if he questions if it will last beyond this year.

"Property tax has been such a problem in the state of New Jersey that anything that is some relief is a help," Marchesi said.

Bryan Repa, of Delran, agreed. A 20 percent property tax credit, the maximum amount allowed under the relief plan, is a "drastic improvement" over his existing rebate.

Last year, tax rebates averaged $285 for homeowners under the age of 65.

"Property taxes in New Jersey have gotten a little bit out of hand recently. It's about time they start giving a little bit of it back," Repa said.

Others, however, said that while they're looking forward to an increased rebate, they don't think it's the answer to their problems.

"It's too little, too late," said Pamela Superior, of Woodbridge. "I'll be happy for anything. Compared to other states' (taxes) it's just still crazy."

Paul Oliu called the credit "a short-term giveaway," and recalled the beefed-up rebates sent out under Gov. James E. McGreevey that were later slashed when the funding came up short.

"They just give us some crumbs when it's a much bigger issue than I think they're approaching," said Oliu, of Montgomery. He said taxes have become the fuel for a bloated government.

The reform process began with a focus on issues as wide ranging as schools, government benefits, town and school consolidations and government ethics. Some steps were taken in each of those areas, but many plans were altered or killed by compromises and pressure from an array of interest groups and lawmakers. Some reforms remain works in progress.

The most tangible immediate aspect of the proposals are the credits, which will range from 20 percent to 10 percent for people earning less than $250,000.

Much of the blame from the public fell on Gov. Jon S. Corzine, according to the poll. Half of those surveyed said Corzine showed "too little" leadership on property taxes; 33 percent said he did enough. Still, 44 percent of 801 people polled on another question approved of Corzine's overall performance, while 34 percent disapproved.

After the caps and credits won final legislative approval, Corzine said New Jerseyans have "a good right" to be skeptical of relief after years of promises, but he hopes a cap on tax hikes will keep levies under control.

Dan Yancheck said he wanted to give Corzine a chance but believes the governor caved in to labor unions. Yancheck, 70, was briefly retired, but when his wife had a partially paralyzing stroke, he returned to full-time work as a courier in order to get medical benefits. He has become frustrated by seeing public workers who reap the benefits of state-funded health benefits, even in retirement.

"They're no better than we are. I have to pay, who are they that they don't have to pay?" said Yancheck, who lives in the Turnersville section of Washington Township, Gloucester County.

Richard Cooper, of Newton, had a similar criticism.

"I was an engineer for a long time. My tenure was to the end of the week," Cooper said. "They've got to get into the real world and find out what's going on."

Diana Allessi, of the Colonia section of Woodbridge, credited Corzine with taking a serious look at property tax issues and not sacrificing school quality for rebates. Allessi, who has a 2-year-old daughter and 9-month-old twin boys, had worried that schools would be hurt in the name of reform.

"There's more thought going into this process this time around as opposed to previous administrations," Allessi said.

The poll, conducted between Feb. 8 and Feb. 12, has a margin of error of 3.8 percentage points.

Jonathan Tamari: jtamari@gannett.com

State contract talks hit a hurdle on early-retirement issue

Saturday, February 17, 2007

BY JOE DONOHUE

Star-Ledger Staff

After two weeks of intense negotiations, contract talks between the Corzine administration and state worker unions halted early yesterday morning.

While the impasse may be temporary, those familiar with the talks say it was aggravated by a dispute over the minimum age for early retirement, which is now 55.

Two sources familiar with the talks say state worker unions are upset because they believe the Corzine administration has reached a secret deal with the New Jersey Education Association teachers union to require new employees to reach age 60 and have 25 years of service before retiring. Under that scenario, teachers insured through the state's health plan would not be forced to contribute to their health insurance.

Leaders of three state worker unions now in salary talks with the administration found out about it Thursday night, which added tension to their negotiations, the sources said. Corzine is seeking concessions from state workers on both the retirement age and contributions to the health plans.

The early retirement age flap, and a lack of progress on other fronts, led to the talks ending around 2 a.m. yesterday morning, the sources said.

Lynn Maher, the NJEA's spokeswoman, would not comment when asked if her union had talked with the Corzine administration. While the NJEA does not conduct collective bargaining for local units, it has historically lobbied on legislation that affects teacher benefits statewide. The state oversees the teachers' pension fund, and it manages a health insurance fund that insures about half the teachers.

Brendan Gilfillan, Corzine's spokesman, declined to comment on the status of state worker negotiations. "This is a day-to-day process, and the administration will continue to work diligently towards an equitable solution."

Robert Master, political director for the Communications Workers of America, the largest state worker union, also refused to comment on negotiations, and would not discuss any dispute with the teachers union. "I can't talk for NJEA," he said.

While no new talks were scheduled for the weekend, Master said he views the hiatus as more of a breather than a breakdown.

"I think both sides are making a good faith effort to figure out if there's a deal there that protects the interest of our members and meets the needs of the public," he said. "That continues to be the tone of the negotiations."

Corzine has expressed hope that he can wrap up salary talks, which began in September, before he gives his budget speech on Thursday. In December, he asked legislative leaders to withdraw proposed legislation to trim public employee health and pension benefits as one way to cut property taxes. Those proposals included legislation to raise the early retirement age. The governor insisted it was better for him to seek concessions in the context of the ongoing negotiations.

Corzine's opening position included a two-year wage freeze and givebacks of holidays as well as asking employees to pay more of their health benefits, according to an administration official with knowledge of the talks.

The current contract, which was negotiated in 2003 when the state faced an even bigger deficit, froze wages for one year, then provided a total increase of 11.5 percent over the final three years.

In Pennsylvania last month, Gov. Edward Rendell agreed to a contract with state workers that provided a $1,250 first-year bonus, followed by wage increases totaling 10 percent in the final three years.