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NJ Spotlight--Big Week for NJ’s Debt: State to Issue $800M+ in Bonds for Transit, Libraries, Schools, More
Voters have signed off on some of the bond issues, but not on $500 million in new debt for NJ Transit upgrades
New Jersey’s already hefty credit card bill is about to get bigger, with Gov. Phil Murphy’s administration planning to issue more than $800 million in new debt this week.
The new borrowing is scheduled to occur in two phases, with a first set of bonds due to go on sale Tuesday to raise money for spending that was previously approved by New Jersey voters, including for school facility improvements and library upgrades across the state.
In fact, the sale of those bonds, totaling approximately $325 million, comes well after voters authorized new general-obligation borrowing for libraries and schools, in 2017 and 2018, respectively.
John Reitmeyer | January 7, 2020 | Budget
NJTV News (via NJ Spotlight)--As Lame Duck Winds Down, a Hodgepodge of Bill Approvals
As clock ticks off last days of legislative session, bills range from screening schoolkids for depression to giving disabled vets a break on dune-buggy permits
With time rapidly running out on the lame-duck session of the state Legislature, a hodgepodge of bills that came before the key Assembly Appropriations Committee on Monday was destined for bigger things.
https://www.njspotlight.com/2020/01/as-lame-duck-winds-down-a-hodgepodge-of-bill-approvals/
Michael Aron, NJTV News | January 7, 2020 | Politics
Jersey Journal—Op-Ed: Murphy says he won’t sign, but bill would allow tax hikes to fund some schools | Quigley
Gov. Phil Murphy said he wouldn’t sign it, but Senate President Steve Sweeney says towns need it, and Senate Budget Chair Paul Sarlo says he knows of 40 municipalities who will welcome the legislation.
Sarlo must be talking about government leaders in those 40 towns because he sure isn't talking about taxpayers.
Joan Quigley | For The Jersey Journal| January 7, 2020
Star Ledger--Should N.J. schools screen every teenager for depression? The debate is starting.
While every New Jersey school district has a school psychologist, those specialists almost exclusively work with special education students, evaluating children and teens for special services and writing reports with their recommendations.
New Jersey schools are one step closer to mandatory depression screening amid a mental health crisis that’s driving an increase in teen suicide.
A state Assembly committee on Monday signed off on a bill requiring depression screening for public school students in seventh through 12th grade as long as their parents consent.
Adam Clark | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com| Posted Jan 06, 2020
The Record--NJ schools get early start on LGBTQ history lessons, soon to be required by law
Twelve New Jersey schools will begin piloting a new LGBTQ-focused curriculum this month, the first wave of a new requirement that will soon be mandated across the state, bringing another front in the culture wars straight into Garden State classrooms.
