TRENTON – Senator Ronald L. Rice released the following statement today after reading an article in the Trenton Times which mentioned the Assembly Democrats proposal to eliminate the Joint Committee on the Public Schools.
“I am deeply concerned about the proposed plan by the members of the Assembly Majority to eliminate the Joint Committee on the Public Schools. As the Chair of that Committee, I am particularly disturbed because I was never approached by any member of the Legislature as to cutting such an important committee.
I want to address the importance of the bipartisan committee with members from both houses who represent all areas of the State. The committee is vital in monitoring the current state of public schools in New Jersey. The committee works hard to study the financial, administrative, and operational aspects of the public school system, and makes crucial recommendations to make these schools more efficient.
“The role of the joint committee is even more important now, because we are able to help ensure that the State Supreme Court mandate to supply equitable funding for the Abbott schools is upheld.
“I want my colleagues to understand that I am all for trimming programs where possible, but my committee is statutorily mandated, and provides a necessary service to the State. I will fight any proposals to cut funding for it.”