Budget season is underway in Trenton following Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s delivery of her budget message to the Legislature on March 10. The Assembly Budget Committee and Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee each held two public hearings in recent weeks, providing an opportunity for advocates and members of the public to weigh in on Gov. Sherrill’s proposed $60.7 billion budget for fiscal year 2027. The proposed budget includes $22.5 billion in total funding for public education – $12.4 billion of which is set to be distributed to school districts in the form of formula aid.

Harrison Silver, the New Jersey School Boards Association’s legislative advocate, testified on behalf of the Association in front of both committees. A copy of NJSBA’s written testimony can be found here.

In addition to convening public hearings, the budget committees of both houses will receive testimony from the heads of various state departments and agencies throughout April and May. Commissioner of Education Dr. Lily Laux is scheduled to testify before the Assembly Budget Committee on April 15 and the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee on May 12. The full budget hearing schedules can be found on the Legislature’s website here and here.

More information on the governor’s budget proposal can be found in the following resources: