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The Record/Statehouse Bureau 9-14-10 ‘N.J. to receive $268M in education aid toward salaries, benefits’
nj.com ‘Sweeney refuses to allow reforms to pass until N.J. pays into retirement fund’
Associated Press 9-14-10 ‘Budget cuts force nonprofit after-school programs to charge fees’
Asbury Park Press ‘Christie to propose major changes to NJ employee pensions, health benefits’
by Lisa Fleisher/Statehouse Bureau
TRENTON — New Jersey’s application for $268 million for educators’ salaries and benefits has been approved, the U.S. Department of Education said today.
The anticipated approval is an important step toward districts receiving money that will be distributed using a state formula.
"I am pleased that Secretary Duncan has approved New Jersey’s application for funding under the Education Jobs Fund Program," Gov. Chris Christie said in a statement.
"As I have said before," the governor continued, "difficult economic times necessitated difficult choices in our budget. The additional resources will be helpful, but this funding must be viewed for what it is — a one-time infusion of cash that will not be available to us the following year."
The money can be used for a range of positions and benefits, including transportation or student loan reimbursements for teachers, librarians, coaches, custodians and other workers outside the superintendent’s office. But the funding, part of a $26 billion stimulus package Congress passed last month to help states, is being billed as money that will help save up to 3,900 teachers’ jobs.
"This federal funding comes at a critical time for New Jersey schools and will help ensure that our students are provided with the educational opportunities they need and deserve as they begin a new school year," said Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) in a statement.
Christie submitted a three-page application on Wednesday. He chose a state distribution formula over a federal one but has not revealed details on how the funds will be alloted.
The governor drew criticism for waiting to apply until the day before the deadline, most sharply from the New Jersey Education Association, the state’s dominant teachers union, with whom he has been feuding.
"There was never any question that New Jersey was going to get this money," NJEA spokesman Steve Baker said. "We could have had the money in mid-August and could have already put people back to work if the governor hadn’t dragged his feet."
Christie’s office had said it was waiting for guidance on how the funds could be distributed. Initially, the governor’s office said it was looking into whether it would be able to partially reverse some cuts made in this year’s budget.
•N.J. applies for $268M in federal education money
• Five points on the $268M federal education funds
nj.com ‘Sweeny refuses to allow reforms to pass until N.J. pays into retirement fund’
TRENTON — As Gov. Chris Christie today proposes changes to the state’s overburdened pension and benefits system, one major roadblock stands in his way: Senate President Stephen Sweeney. The powerful Gloucester County Democrat — who can unilaterally kill any bill without explanation — said Monday he will not allow reforms to pass until New Jersey pays its share into the retirement system, which is underfunded by $46 billion. (Fleisher, State House Bureau)
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/09/sweeney_refuses_to_allow_refor.html
Associated Press 9-14-10 ‘Budget cuts force nonprofit after-school programs to charge fees’
NEW BRUNSWICK — Budget cuts have cost funding to after-school programs that serve nearly 9,000 children of the working poor in New Jersey.
The state cut $7.4 million in aid to a New Brunswick-based charity that supported the programs as part of Gov. Chris Christie's 2010-11 budget.
New Jersey After 3 says only 18 non-profits serving 26 schools and 3,800 students received funding. More than 12,000 children were served last year.
Peter Thornton of the Boys & Girls Club of Paterson & Passaic, which didn't get a grant, tells The Record newspaper the club needs to come up with $400,000 or more to pay for its four after-school programs in Paterson. It has begun charging fees.
Programs that did receive funding are getting less than last year.
Asbury Park Press ‘Christie to propose major changes to NJ employee pensions, health benefits’
TRENTON — Gov. Chris Christie today will propose cuts in pension payments for state and local government workers and teachers, along with dramatically higher employee health benefit payments, according to two administration sources. The proposed reforms will also end annual cost-of-living pension increases for all state and local retirees, the sources said. (Method, Asbury Park Press)
