Under the governor's budget, school districts in Essex and Passaic saw their school aid slashed by $34.6 million
(Trenton) - Assembly Speaker Sheila Y. Oliver (D-Essex/Passaic) and Assemblyman Thomas P. Giblin (D-Essex/Passaic) released the following statement on Gov. Christie's line-item vetoes that will cost 34th Legislative District taxpayers $34.6 million in school aid:
"The governor had the option to responsibly and adequately fund public education, but instead chose to shortchange school districts in the 34th district and around the state," said Oliver. "It's unfortunate that the governor again decided to protect tax cuts for millionaires over school aid and property tax relief for working class families."
School districts in the 34th district would have received $318 million in school aid under the budget passed by the Legislature. The school aid allocation would have been funding by the Millionaire's Tax bill, which imposed a new levy on the 16,000 New Jerseyans that earn $1 million or more per year. The bill passed the Legislature, but was vetoed by the governor.
Clifton was hit the hardest with the $14 million lost in school aid. Essex County Voc-Tech suffered a decrease of $7 million, and Montclair a decrease in $2 million.
"The budget passed by the Legislature fairly balanced the needs of school districts with the need for property tax relief for working class taxpayers. Seems that was a little too fair for the governor," said Giblin. "He cut $34.6 million from school districts in the 34th district, even more from others, but had no qualms about allowing tax breaks for millionaires. The governor has never made it a secret where his allegiance lies, but this is reprehensible."
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