NEWARK – Legislation co-sponsored by Senator Teresa Ruiz to increase the amount of bonds authorized under the “Educational Facilities Construction and Financing Act” by $3.9 billion became law today at a public bill signing at Oliver Street School in Newark today.
“How can we provide the children of New Jersey with a bright future if we can not even supply safe schools for them to go and learn,” said Senator Ruiz, D-Essex and Union. “Too many of our school are over crowded and need major repairs. I understand that we are in tough economic times, but we need to be responsible for providing a proper learning environment for the children in this State.”
The enacted bill, S-1457, allocates $2.9 billion of the new bonds to the Abbott districts, and $1 billion to non-Abbott districts. Of that $1 billion for the non-Abbotts, $50 million will be reserved for vocational schools. The bill also provides that the increase in the bond amount would be repaid from the State income tax.
According to Senator Ruiz, the New Jersey Schools Development Authority has approved project in Newark at the Gladys Hillman-Jones Middle School, Oliver Street School, South Street School and West Side School. ###
