FREEHOLDER WAY: CHRISTIE’S REFUSAL OF CRITICAL EDUCATION DOLLARS WOULD CRIPPLE STATE’S EDUCATION SYSTEM & ECONOMY

(WAYNE TOWNSHIP) – In response to Chris Christie’s latest attempt to mislead voters on his position on education, Passaic Freeholder Tahesha Way today said that Bush Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Chris Christie’s refusal of $2 billion in federal funding for the state’s education system would not only hurt New Jersey’s quality public education system but would also have devastating long term impacts on the state’s work force and economy.  

Freeholder Way, a co-chair of the Victory 2009 campaign, said that Christie is a Bush Republican who is more concerned about playing in the sand box with Republicans like Sarah Palin and Mark Sanford than making tough choices and doing the right thing for New Jersey.

“Democrats made tough decisions this year to enact a budget with record-breaking spending cuts, yet we never wavered on our commitment to invest in education, which is the foundation of our state’s economy,” said Way (D-Passaic).  “New Jersey’s public education system produces an educated workforce that every type of business is looking to hire.  Christie would have refused $2 billion in federal education aid which is key to our children getting a quality education and competing in the 21st century economy.  New Jersey cannot afford Christie playing partisan politics at the expense of our young people’s future.”

In May, Christie praised Bush Republican governors like Sarah Palin and Mark Sanford for turning down federal economic recovery funds from President Barack Obama’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), saying their refusal "makes sense. If they're going to put strings on that money that are going to tie your hands and make you expand programs and not be able to have the freedom of choice that people elected you for, then you shouldn’t take the money.” [Hannity Show, Fox News, 5/18/09]

In rejecting the federal stimulus funding, Christie committed to declining $2 billion to support education across New Jersey. The refusal of these $2 billion of critical education funding would directly lead to a $2 billion increase in property tax bills for New Jersey taxpayers.
 
Way commended Governor Corzine for refusing to waver in his commitment to education even as the global economic crisis has limited state resources. The Freeholder said New Jersey produces world class students who are some of the best educated in the nation.

“Governor Jon Corzine and New Jersey Democrats continue to invest in our children’s future – this year alone 35 percent of the budget is dedicated to education,” said Way.  “We understand that providing quality education is critical to supporting our state’s economy today and down the road.  The tough decisions made by Governor Corzine have helped to keep New Jersey on track during this global economic crisis.  By investing in education – even in these challenging times – he has shown that there is nothing more important to him than securing the future of our young people, our workforce and our economy.”  

Currently, New Jersey ranks first in the nation in the percentage of students graduating high school according to the education newspaper, Education Week. [Education Week, 01/01/09]