Singer: Corzine Should Require All Towns to Share Cost of School Construction

By bschnure

Corzine Set to Give Abbot Districts $2.9 Billion for Full Cost of Projects

Senator Robert Singer (R-30) issued the following statement in response to Governor Corzine's approval of legislation today that will borrow another $3.9 billion for school construction projects, including $2.9 billion for projects in Abbott districts:

"I am disappointed that Governor Corzine has approved another $3.9 billion in borrowing without voter approval, despite his previous calls to end such reckless borrowing. Republicans, and even Corzine himself, have repeatedly stated that voters should determine at the polls whether to approve any new debt that they will ultimately be called on to repay.

"Now that Governor Corzine has approved $3.9 billion for school construction without voter approval, he should at least require the Abbott districts that will receive $2.9 billion of that funding to share in the cost of the schools that will be built. Unlike every other district in the state, Abbott districts are not required to pay a single penny towards school construction projects.

"Even the Abbott districts are required to contribute a small local share towards the cost of classroom instruction, and that same standard and responsibility should be expected of taxpayers in those districts for expensive school construction projects as well.

"As a result of not having any local cost-sharing obligation, the projected cost of building schools in the Abbotts is astronomical. Maybe Trenton wouldn't propose building a $150 million school if local taxpayers had to support even a small percentage of the cost."

For more information visit SenateNJ.com.

BSCHNURE can be reached via email at bschnure@njleg.org.

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