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
6-9-08 GSCS Quick Facts: TRENTON FOCUS THIS WEEK
IT'S ALL ABOUT GETTING THE STATE BUDGET PUT TO BED, this includes potential revisions of the pension process and how to handle school construction funding for Abbott districts which could also impact regular operating districts - GSCS is watching how process is developing...At the same time, bills are moving through education committees that will impact school districts. One such is giving emergrency powers to the Commissioner to put accountability regulations in place immediately. These regulations will impct all districts right away, and include much on budgeting process and executive county superintendent roles & requirements of the job. Click on More below to see Assembly Education Committee agenda for June 12 & read relevant article and editorial........................................................................................................................................................................ Pension reform's moment - Sunday Star Ledger, June 08, 2008

Sunday 6-8-08, N.J. budget talks hit home stretch- THE ASSOCIATED PRESS ... 'New Jersey legislators trying to keep hopes for a mid-June budget agreement alive also plan action in the coming weeks on several other key issues, including measures meant to address housing costs, school construction and economic worries...'

'Proposed: Voters to OK all borrowing' Amendment to rein in state debt advances, the Ledger,

 

 

 

JOSEPH CRYAN

   Chairman

 

JOAN M. VOSS

   Vice-Chair

 

 

PATRICK J. DIEGNAN, JR.

MILA M. JASEY

PAUL D. MORIARTY

NELLIE POU

RUBEN J.  RAMOS, JR.

JOSEPH VAS

AMY H. HANDLIN

JOSEPH R. MALONE, III

SCOTT T. RUMANA

DAVID W. WOLFE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

KATHLEEN FAZZARI

ALLEN T. DUPREE

Office of Legislative Services

Committee Aides

(609) 984-6843

       (609) 984-9808  fax

N e w  J e r s e y  S t a t e  L e g i s l a t u r e

ASSEMBLY EDUCATION COMMITTEE

STATE HOUSE ANNEX

PO BOX 068

TRENTON NJ  08625-0068

 

 

C O M M I T T E E   N O T I C E

 

           TO:       MEMBERS OF THE ASSEMBLY EDUCATION COMMITTEE

 

     FROM:       ASSEMBLYMAN JOSEPH CRYAN, CHAIRMAN

 

SUBJECT:       COMMITTEE MEETING - JUNE 12, 2008

 

            The public may address comments and questions to Kathleen Fazzari, Allen T. Dupree, Committee Aides, or make bill status and scheduling inquiries to Bernadette Lecato, Secretary, at (609)984-6843, fax (609)984-9808, or e-mail: OLSAideAED@njleg.org.  Written and electronic comments, questions and testimony submitted to the committee by the public, as well as recordings and transcripts, if any, of oral testimony, are government records and will be available to the public upon request.


 

            The Assembly Education Committee will meet on Thursday, June 12, 2008 at 2:00 PM in Committee Room 11, 4th Floor, State House Annex, Trenton, New Jersey.

 

            The committee will receive testimony from Scott A. Weiner, Chief Executive Officer, New Jersey Schools Development Authority (SDA), on recent activities of the SDA.

 

The following bills will be considered:

 

A-267

Vandervalk/Conners/Voss/Cohen

Requires training in diabetes care for certain school employees and use of medical management plans in schools for students with diabetes.

A-347

Diegnan

Abigail's Law; requires that newly-manufactured school buses be equipped with sensors.

A-414

Handlin/Greenstein

Requires school bus drivers to have annual physical.

A-416

Handlin/Greenstein

(pending referral)

Requires establishment of prequalification process for prospective bidders on school district transportation contracts; authorizes debarment of bidders convicted of certain crimes; authorizes disqualification of bidder or termination of contract for certain crimes by an employee.

A-467

Malone/Cryan/Voss

Establishes Task Force to study the benefits of student recess and make recommendations on advisability of mandatory recess in school districts.

A-1262

Moriarty

Requires DOE to post information on website concerning incidents in which a pupil is left on a school bus at the end of a driver's route; permits commissioner to fine busing providers for such incidents.

A-1537

Greenstein/Handlin

Authorizes a board of education to reject the lowest bid for a school transportation contract based on the school bus safety inspection record of the bidder.

A-2895

Cryan

Provides DOE statutory authority for State-issued high school diplomas and rulemaking authority in regard to not for profit third parties that administer General Educational Development (GED) testing.

A-2965

Moriarty

(pending intro. & referral)

Establishes Commissioner of Education as the rule-making authority under several school district accountability statutes.

 

Issued 6/6/2008

 

 

    For reasonable accommodation of a disability call the telephone number or fax number above, or TTY for persons with hearing loss (609)777-2744/toll free in NJ (800)257-7490.  The provision of assistive listening devices requires 24 hours’ notice.  Real time reporter or sign language interpretation requires 5 days’ notice.

    For changes in schedule due to snow or other emergencies, call 800-792-8630 (toll-free in NJ) or 609-292-4840.

 

 

 

 

 


June 8, 2008

N.J. budget talks hit home stretch

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

New Jersey legislators trying to keep hopes for a mid-June budget agreement alive also plan action in the coming weeks on several other key issues, including measures meant to address housing costs, school construction and economic worries.

But with the state's July 1 constitutional deadline to adopt a new budget looming,
legislators and Gov. Corzine are trying to reach agreement on his cost-cutting $32.8 billion spending plan.

Lawmakers have missed the deadline four times since 2002, but only during 2006 did the dispute close government, when it took until July 8 to adopt a state budget.

"We're getting there, but not yet,'' Senate Budget Chairwoman Barbara Buono, D-Middlesex, said last week after private meetings between the governor and lawmakers failed to produce an agreement.

Assembly Speaker Joseph Roberts Jr., D-Camden, is confident an agreement is near.

"We'll certainly meet our June 30 constitutional deadline to have our budget passed,'' he said.

Legislators still question Corzine's plans to save $136 million by offering retirement
incentives to 3,000 workers, though they've also proposed cutting taxpayer-paid benefits for newly hired government workers to try to balance the retirement costs.

Corzine contends the move would save money and reshape state government, but legislators note it would also increase taxpayer-paid retirement benefits for state workers. One possible move involves increasing the eligibility age for retirement incentives from 50 to closer to 60.

Corzine's budget plan calls for $2.9 billion in cuts amid economic woes.

It proposes cutting state funding for property tax rebates, municipalities, hospitals,
colleges and nursing homes and seeks new Medicaid copays and higher copays for a prescription drug program for the elderly and disabled.

"It is not easy,'' Corzine said. "We've had to make horrific choices, things that break
your heart.''

Legislators are looking to restore aid for hospitals and municipalities and eliminate the proposed copays, but they haven't unveiled alternatives with Corzine insisting the state spend no more than $32.8 billion.

Meanwhile, the Senate budget committee will hold a Monday public hearing on a plan to ask voters to amend the state Constitution to require public approval for state borrowing.

The state has about $32 billion in debt, making it the nation's fourth-most indebted state.

Since 1990, voters have approved $3 billion in borrowing while the state has borrowed $24 billion without voter approval. This includes borrowing for school construction, public worker pensions and to balance annual spending.

The hearing comes as Corzine tries to get legislators to approve $2.5 billion for more Supreme Court-ordered school construction. Legislators haven't taken action on that plan, though Corzine has told the court he would push legislators to approve it by June 30. Some lawmakers want voters to decide the borrowing.

"It should be put before the public this November, and hopefully we're moving in that direction,'' Buono said.

But Sen. Ronald Rice, D-Essex, said waiting until November would risk increased construction costs.

"We need to get it down now,'' Rice said.

Other measures on tap include:

Reforming state affordable housing laws, most notably by abolishing the state law that allows suburban municipalities to avoid state-mandated affordable housing obligations by paying poorer cities to provide the housing.

Combating mortgage foreclosures. New Jersey has the nation's 13th highest foreclosure rate. One measure would impose a $2,000 fee on subprime loans issued by lenders to raise up to $33 million to help homeowners avoid foreclosure.

Legislation to extend all state and local government construction permits through 2012. Sponsors said many permits are scheduled to expire because of the inability of banking, real estate and construction companies to obtain financing in the economic downturn, but the bill is opposed by environmentalists.

 

Pension reform's moment

Sunday, June 08, 2008

After wasting a prime opportunity 17 months ago to substantially re vise the state's pension system, a group of lawmakers now wants to have another go at it. Wisely, they plan to use the looming July 1 budget deadline as leverage.

Sen. Barbara Buono, who chairs the Senate budget committee, and Sen. Stephen Sweeney, a champion of scaling back state employee benefits, want the $33 billion budget considered in tandem with a revision of the pension system. It's a smart strategy.

Buono and Sweeney realize that the pressure to get the budget passed by the end of the month offers a unique opportunity to get a long-sought, controversial overhaul of the pension system through the Legislature.

The last time there was seri ous discussion among legislators about reducing the state's pension obligations, Gov. Jon Corzine silenced the talks.

The governor said he alone would address the problem and that would occur at the bargaining table. He did have some success -- moving the retirement age from 55 to 60 for future workers and getting employee pension contributions hiked from 5 percent to 5.5 percent. Fine, but not close to what lawmakers had in mind.

Now Buono, Sweeney and others want to pick up where they left off in December 2006. Specifically, they want to eliminate defined-benefit pensions for part-time employees -- state workers who put in less than 35 hours a week and local government workers who log less than 30 hours a week. They also would have to earn $5,000 -- currently $1,500 -- before being eligible for a 401(k)-type pension program. Employees could amass pension credits for just one government job, and their pensions would be based on an average of the five highest earning years rather than the current three. All changes would apply to future government hires.

Revival of the pension changes comes as Corzine is pushing a reluctant Legislature to approve an early retirement plan that he touts as a way to save the state about $117.5 million next year. Many lawmakers are justifiably concerned that the governor's plan, which aims to pare 3,000 workers from the payroll, would cost too much by prematurely increasing pension obligations. The pension revisions that they want considered would be a way of partially offsetting the cost of the early retirement plan.

In pushing for pension revisions, Buono, Sweeney and oth ers realize that if it's not done now, the opportunity may be lost for years. All 80 Assembly members and the governor will be running for re-election next year, making consideration of anything even slightly controversial unthinkable. That means the generous pension program will continue to strain the treasury at least until 2011. The state can't wait that long.

 

Proposed: Voters to OK all borrowing Amendment to rein in state debt advances Sunday, June 08, 2008 BY CLAIRE HEININGER Star-Ledger Staff After maxing out their credit card to one of the heaviest debt loads in the nation, state lawmakers may soon need voters' permission before they can borrow again. A constitutional amendment that would require voters to greenlight future state borrowing is gaining steam in Trenton, reflecting public frustration over a perceived addiction to spending and the state's fiscal crisis. The idea was embraced in January by Gov. Jon Corzine, who made it part of his broad financial restructuring plan. While that plan's centerpiece -- drastically cutting debt through dramatic toll hikes -- collapsed, the borrowing amendment quietly advanced in the Legislature and has a decent chance to make the November ballot, lawmakers say. "I think our debt is so overwhelming that people are realizing it's a threat to the state," said Sen. Leonard Lance (R-Hunterdon), who pushed the amendment for years. "I'm pleased, although we're not home yet." New Jersey is struggling with more than $32 billion in state debt, the third-highest in the country. All but $3 billion was issued without voter backing. Through the years, lawmakers and governors borrowed without voter approval for schools, highways, open space -- even balancing the state budget, a practice now banned by the state Supreme Court. In the budget year that begins next month, taxpayers will shell out $2.7 billion to pay off these debts. The state constitution already says voters must approve borrowing, but lawmakers routinely have dodged the requirement by authorizing quasi-state agencies to issue billions in debt, and promising to repay it through the state budget. That strategy would be prohibited under the amendment, which cleared an Assembly committee last week and is scheduled for a public hearing before a Senate committee tomorrow. It has the support of Assembly Speaker Joseph Roberts (D-Camden), but Senate President Richard Codey (D-Essex) hasn't made up his mind. Codey said he needs to take "a long, hard look" to make sure it's "not tying a future governor's and Legislature's hands" should a need for emergency borrowing arise. "There are times when you'd need to do it and do it right away and not necessarily wait for an election," he said. Critics of the amendment say it would sap power from legislators elected to make intricate decisions, and turn complex borrowing schemes into yes-or-no issues vulnerable to voters' snap judgments. "Simple bumper-sticker politics do not lend themselves to (that) kind of decision-making," said Steve Wollmer, spokesman for the powerful New Jersey Education Association teachers union. "It would really limit or potentially cripple the state's ability to make timely investments for the public good." But supporters of the amendment say lawmakers have proven incapable of putting on the brakes. "You always have to borrow, but you need to slow down the pace," said Hyman Grossman, retired managing director of Standard & Poor's Ratings Group and an observer of New Jersey budgets. Corzine touted it as part of his financial reforms, but it got a fraction of the attention paid to the aggressive toll hike plan he pitched in town hall meetings. He acknowledges that part of his plan is dead, but says the amendment -- along with freezing spending and trying to match spending to revenues -- helps keep his promise of getting the state's fiscal house in order. Sen. Raymond J. Lesniak (D-Union), a primary sponsor of the amendment, said the aborted toll plan did highlight the state's fiscal woes. "The public is demanding that we make reforms like this or else they're not going to support anything we do to solve our debt problem," he said. Corzine has drawn cries of hypocrisy for backing the amendment while pushing $2.5 billion in new nonvoter-approved borrowing for school construction. He says the short-term schools borrowing is a "constitutional responsibility" mandated by a state Supreme Court order to repair or replace hundreds of schools. The court has also "been guilty" in enabling the creative borrowing, said Joseph Marbach, political scientist at Seton Hall University. In 2003, a sharply divided court ruled the state could continue to issue bonds through its authorities without asking voters first. The justices in the minority said the decision essentially killed the clause in the constitution giving voters control. "The fact that we need a constitutional amendment to tell the court what the constitution says is also a little bit troubling," Marbach said. Lance agreed, rejecting the idea of relaxing regulations for school construction or anything else. "Those who wish to borrow always give a reason why this borrowing is different from all other borrowing, why we don't need to go to the people," Lance said. "And that's gotten us where we are." Staff writer Kasi Addison contributed to this report.