TRENTON – Senator Shirley K. Turner (D-Mercer) today released the following statement on Governor Christie’s proposed fiscal year 2011 budget and the impact it will have on New Jersey’s educational system:

“The Governor’s proposed budget does not bode well for the future of our state or our children. Given the competitive nature of the global economy, now is the time when we should be providing our students with more educational opportunities, not less. If anything, this budget will only serve to exacerbate the ‘brain drain’ problem in our state.

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DEMOCRATIC ASSEMBLY EDUCATION COMMITTEE MEMBERS ON IMPACT OF CONCUSSIONS ON STUDENT ATHLETES

(TRENTON) - The Democratic members of the Assembly Education Committee today issued a multimedia package discussing the impact of concussions and other head injuries on the health and well being of student athletes and youth in general.

CONNERS & CONAWAY BILL TO ENSURE STABLE EDUCATION FOR FOSTER CHILDREN OK'D BY PANEL

Bill Would Help Towns Such as Willingboro

(TRENTON) - Legislation Assemblymen Jack Conners and Herb Conaway, M.D, sponsored to ensure New Jersey foster children receive a stable education was released Thursday by an Assembly committee.

TRENTON – Senator Shirley K. Turner (D-Mercer), a member of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee, today called on Governor Chris Christie to rethink the budget decisions he laid out in favor of more equitable choices that do not disproportionately affect the state’s most vulnerable.

“I realize that New Jersey is buried underneath a blizzard of red ink and I’m eager and willing to help dig our state out. However, I don’t want the sacrifices and the pain to be inequitable. The job of closing this gap should not fall on the shoulders of those who can least bear to carry the burden. The cuts announced today would disproportionately impact low and middle-income taxpayers, our children, and students struggling to afford the costs of higher education.

TRENTON – A number of Senate Committees will convene on Monday, February 1, to consider a wide-range of matters, including reforming the state’s approach to affordable housing and identifying statewide educational priorities.

The Senate Economic Growth Committee will meet at 10:30 am in Committee Room 1 of the State House Annex where they will consider, for discussion only, bill S-1, sponsored by Senator Raymond J. Lesniak, which would reform the state’s approach to affordable housing and abolish the Council on Affordable Housing. The committee will also consider bill S-920, sponsored by Senate President Stephen M. Sweeney and Senator Lesniak, which would revise certain provisions of the “New Jersey Economic Stimulus Act of 2009” in order to help facilitate the development of public-private higher education projects.

Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean hailed Governor-elect Christie's selection of Bob Martin as Environmental Protection Commissioner and former Jersey City Mayor Bret Schundler as Education Commissioner. These Cabinet-level positions are among the most important positions in the state, and Christie has chosen well, Senator Kean said.

CRYAN BILL EXTENDING STUDENT COMMUNITY SERVICE PILOT PROGRAM CLEARS ASSEMBLY

(TRENTON) - The Assembly today passed legislation panel Assemblyman Joseph Cryan sponsored to extend and expand a previous pilot program that required high school students to undertake community service programs as a condition of graduation.

CRYAN BILL CRACKING DOWN ON USE OF TAXPAYER MONEY FOR BOGUS DEGREES PASSES ASSEMBLY

Bill Aims to Prevent Repeat of Freehold School's Diploma Mill Debacle

(TRENTON) - Legislation Assemblyman Joseph Cryan sponsored to ensure teachers and school administrators do not abuse school district paid-for tuition assistance programs by attaining bogus degrees was today passed by the full Assembly.

CRYAN BILL CRACKING DOWN ON USE OF TAXPAYER MONEY FOR BOGUS DEGREES RELEASED FROM COMMITTEE
Bill Aims to Prevent Repeat of Freehold School's Diploma Mill Debacle

(TRENTON) - Legislation Assembly Education Committee Chairman Joseph Cryan sponsored to create more stringent standards to ensure teachers and school administrators do not abuse school district paid-for tuition assistance programs by attaining bogus degrees was today released from committee.

The Senate today passed Senator Kip Bateman's bill that would require that districts notify parents within 10 days when soil contaminated with pesticides or other chemicals is discovered at a school.