WATSON COLEMAN: PROTECTING EDUCATION A TOP PRIORITY

WATSON COLEMAN: PROTECTING EDUCATION A TOP PRIORITY

Majority Leader Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-Mercer) released the following statement today:

"Despite the global economic recession, this budget is committed to protecting core New Jersey values like education for our children.

“Our future depends on the foundation we lay for our children, which is why more than $11 billion  – or nearly 40 percent of this year’s proposed budget – is for pre-K through 12th grade education.

“In fact, despite continued economic uncertainty, this budget increases the amount of direct school aid going into our classrooms by $276 million.

“That’s a remarkable achievement that will directly benefit the 1.4 million children enrolled in our public schools. It means we will spend more on teaching children in New Jersey while still reducing the budget by nearly $4 billion. It also means we will spend more on education while other states cut education.

“Over the last four years, Democrats will have provided $43 billion to support education. That will be 30 percent more than the previous administration, and 80 percent more than the last Republican administration.

“But we’re also looking beyond our public schools.

“Tuition increases at state colleges and universities will be capped at 3 percent, ensuring college is more affordable for the thousands of working class New Jersey students looking to advance their education.

“Direct student assistance - through programs such as tuition aid grants, NJ STARS and the Education Opportunity Fund - will increase by $34 million, a nearly 10 percent  increase.

“Overall higher education aid will increase by about $77 million, or 3.6 percent.

“This budget is a fiscally prudent plan that protects values such as education that are so important to all of us. It  represents our commitment to nurturing our children and best prepares New Jersey to capitalize when the national economy rebounds.”

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