Both the Senate Democrats and the Governor have been touting competing school funding proposals, coupled with websites.
Senate Action
The Senate Democrats released Formula4Success site late last week. The site includes information about the proposal and a tool that allows users to see how much funding each district receives. Senate Democrats have also launched a corresponding Facebook page.
Senate President Sweeney, along with Senate Education chair Teresa Ruiz and Assemblymembers Eric Houghtaling and Joann Downey, are sponsors of legislation, S-2372 , to create a commission that would develop a school-funding reform plan to restore full funding to districts in five years. Their proposal was released in early June at press conference (School Funding Fairness Task Force Announced, June 9, 2016). The bill was heard in the Senate Education Committee in late June (Senate Education Committee Advances Bills on School Funding Fairness Commission, Recess , School Security and More, June 22, 2016).
Gubernatorial Action
Almost simultaneously, Gov. Chris Christie, announced his own “Fairness Formula,” also launching a website to promote his proposal (Governor Calls for Major Change In How State Funds Schools, June 22, 2016). Christie’s plan would scrap the current funding formula – which allows for extra funding for English learners, low-income students and those in special education – in favor of the same aid amount or all students. Under his proposal, students in special education would continue to receive extra funding, however.
On Tour
Both the Governor and Senate President have been actively touring the state pitching their competing proposals.
Resources