Senate Republican Leader Anthony M. Bucco and Senator Owen Henry have voiced concerns over recent school funding cuts in New Jersey, stating that these reductions are leading to property tax increases in several municipalities. The lawmakers criticized Governor Murphy and the Democrat-controlled Legislature for not addressing what they describe as a broken school funding formula.
“While Republicans offered solutions to responsibly fix New Jersey’s broken school funding formula, Governor Murphy and Trenton Democrats ignored our help and instead endorsed devastating school aid cuts that are forcing districts to take extreme measures like increasing property taxes, laying off teachers, and closing schools altogether,” said Sen. Bucco. “We keep hearing reports of massive tax increases in places like Old Bridge and other municipalities, and sadly this crisis could have been avoided. The Murphy administration squandered COVID relief, prioritized pork over pupils, and left homeowners with the bill. Our students, teachers, and property taxpayers deserve better.”
Earlier this year, Senator Bucco raised issues regarding transparency in the state’s method for allocating school funds after the governor’s budget proposal suggested reducing aid for more than 100 districts. He also called for legislative hearings on the matter.
Senator Henry commented on how these funding cuts are affecting communities such as Old Bridge: “What’s happening in Old Bridge is a heartbreaking reality that too many municipalities have faced under Governor Murphy’s broken school funding formula,” said Sen. Henry. “New Jersey has one of the best public education systems in the nation, but if we don’t protect homeowners from unsustainable tax hikes, we risk undermining that success. I’ve seen firsthand, through conversations with our educators, how devastating these cuts are—forcing steep tax increases, eliminating school programs and services, and putting the quality of our education system in jeopardy. Sadly, Democrats continue to shut Republicans out of the conversation and refuse to make the necessary reforms to stop this growing affordability crisis.”
Both senators have put forward legislation intended to restore lost aid and provide emergency support for affected districts.
