Letters to the editor

Pandora’s box on education ruling
By law, each child in New Jersey is entitled to a “thorough and efficient” education. But the New Jersey Supreme Court ruled recently that the state’s poorest students failed to receive one, because of under-funding.

Pandora’s box on education ruling
By law, each child in New Jersey is entitled to a “thorough and efficient” education. But the New Jersey Supreme Court ruled recently that the state’s poorest students failed to receive one, because of under-funding.

The case, Abbott v. Burke, is the latest wrinkle in a funding debate that has stretched over four decades. What’s at issue this time is that the state did not fully satisfy the school funding law. In fact, the shortfall in 2010-11 was $1.6 billion. The court ordered the state to pay $500 million to reimburse 31 districts, the poorest communities in the state known as the Abbott districts.
The lack of funding didn’t affect just the poorest districts. There are 205 districts where spending is below an adequate amount, as defined by law, where poor students don’t qualify for aid under this new decision.

The court could have responded much differently. In a separate opinion, Justice Barry T. Albin recommended funding for all 205 districts, to comply with state law. The New Jersey Association of School Administrators agrees.
The failure to address the full content of the law raises speculation. Could politics be affecting the court’s decision?

As of now, the decision has opened a Pandora’s box of problems. How will other schools get the money to bring education up to the standard? Where will this come from? Then, how will the Abbott districts spend their new-found money since next year’s budgets have already been established and approved?
The final question is: How will New Jersey legislators finalize and finance next year’s budget by July 1 — particularly since there is pressure to provide additional funding beyond the court’s mandate? Only time will tell.

Richard Bozza, executive director
New Jersey Association of School Administrators
Trenton

Christie wrong on RGGI decision
While campaigning, Gov. Chris Christie opined that we needed to do more about global warming, only to turn around after being elected and publicly express doubt over whether humans are impacting climate change. Just last week, he returned to his previous position that humans do play a role in climate change, yet ignored his own admission, and announced that he is withdrawing New Jersey from one of the most monumental anti-global warming initiatives we have undertaken to date.

Experts have been warning us for years about the impact our dependency on fossil fuels will have on our climate, not to mention our national security due to the heavy reliance this creates on foreign oil.
This dangerous 180-degree shift on climate issues has the potential to seriously impact the public’s health and welfare in the future.

The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative is an agreement between 10 Northeast and mid-Atlantic states to implement a cap-and-trade program on carbon dioxide emissions from power plants.

According to a recent report by RGGI, pollution is down 15 to 30 percent since its launch, almost 18,000 jobs have been created, and the region’s economy has grown by more than $2.3 billion. Weatherization and retrofitting programs funded by RGGI proceeds have helped consumers realize energy bill savings of 15 to 30 percent.

In New Jersey, just the first dozen projects funded through the program will help reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 84,000 metric tons each year and help businesses generate more than 167,000 megawatt-hours of clean energy per year.

Yet despite the fact that the program has spurred the development of green jobs, reduced pollution and been championed by environmentalists and businesses alike, Christie’s proposed budget confiscates the entire $65 million allocation for this program, and he has announced New Jersey’s withdrawal from RGGI.

At this crucial juncture, we cannot afford to make short-sighted decisions. Congress is dragging its heels on this issue. States must take the initiative now.

Barbara Buono (D-Edison)
Senate Majority Leader
and
Linda Stender (D-Scotch Plains)
Assemblywoman