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Lawmakers Beat State Budget Deadline

The Legislature approved the state’s 2007-2008 budget on June 21, ten days before its July 1 deadline, in stark contrast to last year’s budget battle that resulted in a state government shutdown. Gov. Jon S. Corzine was expected to sign the appropriations act this week.

The $33.4 billion spending plan includes more than $11 billion for K-12 public education. The amount represents a $580 million increase in state aid, including a 3 percent across-the-board increase for almost all school districts, as well as new aid for non-Abbott communities with large populations of economically disadvantaged students.

Other significant increases include $10 million more for adult education, a $5.7 million increase for at-risk children in charter schools and $3.2 million for transportation, according to state documents.

Oversight Reflected In addition, the budget includes $19.7 million in new funds for administrative support services in state government, an increase of nearly 34 percent more than last year. Much of the increase can be attributed to greater oversight responsibilities at the state Department of Education, such as the establishment of the executive county superintendent position, that resulted from the special legislative session.

NJSBA is reviewing the budget and will update its members with any further developments at www.njsba.org.