N.J. may borrow for schools Some lawmakers want voter approval before seeking $3.5 billion for school construction.

TRENTON - New Jersey legislators are moving forward with plans to borrow $3.5 billion for school construction without voter approval.

> The Senate budget committee tomorrow is to consider authorizing the New Jersey Economic Development Authority to borrow the money, largely for urban schools.

> The money would restart a state Supreme Court-ordered school construction program that has already cost $8.6 billion but has been stalled by mismanagement.

> Gov. Corzine has told the court, which became concerned with delays, that he would try to get at least $2.5 billion approved by month's end.

> Tomorrow's borrowing bill proposes $3.5 billion - $2.5 billion for city schools, $750 million for other schools and $250 million for county vocational schools.

> "It's one of these things that's very necessary," said Sen. Ronald Rice (D., Essex), a bill sponsor. "We've got to get these schools built."

> But some lawmakers object to borrowing without first asking voters, and both Legislative houses have advanced bills to ask voters to amend the state Constitution to require that the public approve all state borrowing.

> "I believe passionately that we should require voter approval for new levels of borrowing, particularly at the level of $3.5 billion," said Sen. Leonard Lance (R., Hunterdon). "I guess I'm disappointed that this is happening."

> "We've reached the point where we need to have the voters endorse and approve this kind of expenditure," said Sen. Joseph Kyrillos (R., Monmouth).

> Corzine also supports requiring voters to approve state borrowing, but has said the school construction money is different because the court mandated the spending.

> Under an order from the court, the Legislature agreed in 2000 to spend $6 billion for construction projects in 31 poor districts. Another $2.6 billion was set aside for construction in other districts.

> But because of mismanagement and rising construction and land costs, the money didn't go as far as expected.

> "I would say it's encouraging that the Legislature is finally addressing the issue, given the dire need for new schools in our poorest districts," said David Sciarra, executive director of the Education Law Center, a Newark-based advocacy group.

> Meanwhile, New Jersey has $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.

> Senate Minority Leader Tom Kean Jr. (R., Union) and Assemblyman Richard Merkt (R., Morris) noted Corzine's stated support for having voters approve borrowing.

> "That Corzine would even propose additional state debt without vote approval proves beyond question that, far from being the solution, his administration has become an integral part of the state debt problem," Merkt said.

> Corzine's office did not respond to a request for comment.

> Senate Budget Chairwoman Barbara Buono (D., Middlesex) had backed asking voters to approve borrowing for more school construction, but said the state cannot ignore the court order to pay for construction in the poorest districts.

> "We must find a way to meet the $2.5 billion obligation the administration has committed to the court," Buono said.

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