TRENTON, NJ – State legislators are pointing to New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy’s actions as hypocritical based on his calls for equity and equality in New Jersey. In recent years, the governor has slashed school funding to school districts in counties and towns that voted against him when he ran for office.
Politicians stopped short of calling Murphy’s actions political payback but noted his blatant hypocrisy.
Murphy has threatened to cut school funding further in three districts if they did not follow his administration’s policies.
Senator Joe Pennacchio expressed concerns over recent decisions by the State Board of Education and Governor Murphy’s approach to education in New Jersey.
The Senator urged the Governor to address the discrepancies of the school funding formula.
Pennacchio criticized Murphy, stating, “If Governor Murphy wants to address educational inequities, he should begin by accounting for the funding cuts made to over a hundred schools this year.”
He argued that the current school funding system is flawed, causing uneven distribution based on locations rather than genuine educational needs.
This disparity results in substantial boosts for some districts while leaving many struggling for minimal resources.
Highlighting his party’s stance, Pennacchio mentioned that Republicans advocated for a fair school funding formula to ensure every New Jersey school district is equitably funded.
Contrarily, he opined, Murphy’s administration appears to prioritize equitable outcomes over providing equal opportunities, evident in his decision to reduce funding for numerous schools.
The Senate Republicans’ proposal aims to reform the state’s school funding formula to mitigate significant funding cuts and address student needs, including addressing learning losses. They have also highlighted concerns about the current formula not adequately accounting for inflation and increased benefit costs, which directly impacts the support for special education programs and the general expenditure per student.
Pennacchio further added that if equity in education is truly Murphy’s primary concern, collaboration with Republicans is crucial to rectify the unfair formula affecting over a hundred schools. He concluded by emphasizing parents’ desire for proper resources in their school districts instead of the state’s involvement in classroom decisions. Pennacchio asserted, “It’s high time to rectify the school funding disparities and ensure our children are not pawns in political games. New Jersey’s families deserve better.”