The U.S. House Budget Committee voted Monday to approve a $1.9 trillion stimulus package proposed by President Joe Biden that would dedicate an additional $170 billion for K-12 schools and higher education, spending billions more to support state and local governments that are critical to funding education.
The committee approval is a step forward in a stimulus deal that, in the weeks ahead, is scheduled to be considered by the full U.S. House and Senate before it is sent to Biden.
The Biden administration has released a detailed, $145 billion estimate of what K-12 schools still need to ensure buildings can safely reopen, according to FutureEd.org, a think tank at Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy. The funds include $60 billion to prevent layoffs and $50 billion for the equipment and modifications needed to achieve physical distancing. About 20% of the dollars would go toward addressing learning loss.
New Jersey and its municipalities would receive an estimated $9.4 billion of the money, NJ.com reported Sunday.
Newark would get $169 million – more money than any other New Jersey city. Jersey City would receive $135 million and Camden $59 million. Elsewhere, Cherry Hill in Camden County would receive $11 million, Jackson Township in Ocean County would receive $10.6 million and Piscataway Township in Middlesex County $10.5 million.
NJ.com provided a searchable chart listing the amount each town would receive under the proposal as it moves through a series of Congressional hearings. The data can also be accessed as an Excel spreadsheet at www.njsba.org/NJStimulusData.