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Let’s Have An Election About Education Reform, Aid to Cities

By Art Gallagher

Senate President Steve Sweeney told The Star Ledger Editorial Board that he is groveling to get back into the good graces of the NJEA.  He didn’t put it exactly that way, but that is the effect of his pronouncement that he will not allow two key components of Governor Christie’s educations reforms…merit pay and ending seniority protections from layoffs.

Governor Christie gave himself plenty of room to negotiate when he increased the budget surplus by $270 million while cutting transitional aid to the cities by $139 million.   The Democrats want that money, and other monies that Christie cut back.  If the cities don’t get the money they could face bankruptcy.

Christie shouldn’t give an dime back to the cities unless he gets everything he wants in education reform.   If Sweeney and the Democrats don’t go along because they’re trying to get back into the good graces of the NJEA, let the voters decide.

Let’s have the coming election, in which the entire legislature is up for grabs, be a referendum on Christie’s agenda vs the NJEA agenda.

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Posted: July 10th, 2011 | Author: | Filed under: Chris Christie, NJ State Legislature | Tags: , , , , | 2 Comments »

2 Comments on “Let’s Have An Election About Education Reform, Aid to Cities”

  1. TheDigger said at 11:13 am on July 10th, 2011:

    Art, I would add not just education reform, but also adoption of the full “Tool Kit” so that local government could start to control their costs.

    Unless he can get that, I wouldn’t give a penny more.

    If he gets it, he can then agree to compromise on certain budgetary items.

  2. brian said at 2:26 pm on July 10th, 2011:

    Since our fantastic RINO party allowed thmselves to be rolled on redistricting–putting their tails between their legs—they have assured themselves of minority party staus for at least another decade. Then they have the audacity to ask for our support. Why would l possibly fight for a “party” that has NO BALLS and refuses to fight for itself?? Let the terrorist party win and hasten the collapse of another Blue state.
    The cowards have no one to blame but themselves——–and yes, the Dim party are economic terrorists