Senator

TRENTON – Senate President Richard J. Codey (D-Essex) today called on the state Department of Education (DOE) to conduct a thorough statewide review of all school superintendents and administrators to determine who may have received pay raises and tuition reimbursements because of degrees they received from unaccredited colleges or universities. Taking things a step further, Codey called on any such individuals to return the monetary benefits they may have received at the expense of taxpayers, including salary increases, tuition reimbursement and pension credits based on the higher salary they have been receiving.

“What this says to students is that the very people who are entrusted with establishing educational rules for course work, diplomas, and academic integrity have lost all legs to stand on as they themselves have cheated the educational system by undermining the legitimate degrees of their colleagues and of course students,” said Codey. “This is a ‘do as I say, not as I do’ policy that the taxpayers are being forced to fund. It’s wrong and once we find out exactly who is benefiting from these cash-and-carry diplomas, we’ll continue to put pressure on them to return these unearned perks.”

TRENTON – Senate President Richard J. Codey (D-Essex) today praised the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority (NJSEA) and the Giants and Jets football teams for instituting a new policy to govern the conduct of ticketholders and curb drunken and abusive behavior. Last fall, Codey called on the NJSEA to crack down on drunken and unruly fan behavior that had led to harassment of a number of fans during half-time.

“I applaud the Sports Authority for being so responsive to our concerns and taking action now before the start of the new football season. No doubt, for most people, football and beer go hand-in-hand. But, when fans are harassed by drunk patrons or the game day experience is ruined because others can’t control themselves, that’s where the line needs to be drawn.