Dear Constituent:
Please be aware that on Monday, February 5, the Senate will once again take up
the CORE proposal, which includes the "super" superintendent
provision. The bill has been re-introduced as S19.
Although the bill has undergone some changes, the most significant component of
the bill, the creation of an executive county superintendent, is still
contained within S19. Press accounts have deemed the bill "watered
down." However, the fact is that this proposal still contains the
most egregious provision, one which will extend the duties and oversight
powers, including the ability to recommend district regionalization, to a
politically appointed executive county superintendent. As with several of
the previous proposals under consideration in
Trenton
, S19 does not offer cost savings, but
does undermine the ability of local school districts to determine the fate and
future of their schools and the education of their children.
The Senate will also vote on Senate Bill 20, also known as the "Cap
Bill," which establishes a program to offset property taxes and imposes a
4% cap on local tax levies. As with all of the major pieces of
legislation associated with the Property Tax Special Session, Senate bill 20 is
being brought directly to the Senate for a full vote. Unfortunately, this
measure has not had a hearing, as is normally required for state expenditure
initiatives, before the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.
Finally, many constituents have asked us how to best communicate their concerns
to Governor Corzine and as such, we would like to inform you of a Town Hall
Meeting being hosted by Governor Corzine this Saturday, February 3, from 1 to
2:30 pm in the Council Chamber of the Union Township Municipal Building (1976
Morris Avenue) The event and all of its arrangements are being handled by the
Office of the Governor, which has asked that attendees RSVP to the following
number: 609-777-0994.
Thank you, again, for all of your insightful comments and thoughtful input on
these education issues and the other matters currently facing the State of
New Jersey
. We
appreciate the ongoing dialogue and look forward to future ones.
Sincerely,
Senator Thomas H. Kean, Jr.
Assemblyman Eric Munoz, M.D.
Assemblyman Jon M. Bramnick
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