Legislative Committee Sets Agenda

NJSBA’s Legislative Committee met June 5 to set its agenda for the coming months, which includes initiatives ranging from improved communications to the proposed 2.5 percent property tax cap.

Newly elected president Ray Wiss, and John Bulina, vice president for legislation, addressed not only the Legislative Committee but also members of the Urban Boards Committee and County Association Leadership. Mr. Wiss outlined his goal of improving NJSBA’s communication with the membership. He seeks to focus less on the information NJSBA sends to the districts, but more on the communication NJSBA receives from local districts.

Mr. Bulina moderated a discussion on issues such as the state budget, school board elections, Race to the Top, and the proposed 2.5 percent property tax cap. The committee decided to focus their summertime efforts on the 2.5 percent “hard cap,” which would provide no waivers unless local voters override the cap. Nearly all legislative committee members had contacted their legislators recently, and they will need to do so again over the summer. Committee members are looking for other school board members to join them in communicating to state lawmakers concerns about the tax cap.

Interested members should contact Ray Pinney, NJSBA member outreach coordinator, via e-mail or by calling (609) 278-5244.

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