Lakewood Largely Left Out of New Jersey's Record $60 Billion Budget.
Governor Mikie Sherrill last week signed New Jersey's largest budget ever, a $60 billion spending plan but Lakewood received just $1 million in municipal aid despite being the state's fourth-largest municipality. By comparison, Jersey City will receive an additional $15 million in state aid plus a $105 million loan. Under former Governor Phil Murphy, Lakewood typically received $7–8 million annually through discretionary aid, which has now been eliminated. Community leaders warn the shortfall could force the township to consider tax increases or service cuts. according to an article in the Lakewood shopper this past week.
Despite the cuts to Lakewood, the local state representatives Bob Singer and Sean Kean were the only 2 Republicans in New Jersey who voted YES for the budget!
Shlomo Schorr, Director of Agudath Israel of New Jersey, told the Shopper, Lakewood continues to be disadvantaged by a municipal aid formula based on population figures from more than 20 years ago, leaving it among the lowest-funded municipalities on a per-capita basis.
The budget did include A $2 million annual security grant for BMG that was restored after initially being cut, and funding for nonpublic school security increased from $205 to $217 per student. A newly passed law by Assemblyman Avi Schnall will also allow unused nonpublic school aid to be redirected toward transportation reimbursements instead of being returned to the state.
Schorr also said the previously discussed state takeover of the Lakewood School District now appears unlikely in the near future. He suggested the proposal may have been used as leverage during the state's legal response to the school funding lawsuit by R' Arthur Lang before being quietly set aside.
The budget also expands New Jersey's child tax credit, increasing benefits by 25% for eligible families, with credits ranging from $250 to $1,250 depending on household income.
For Lakewood, the budget is viewed as a significant disappointment, with local advocates pledging to continue pushing for a fairer state aid formula that better reflects the township's rapid growth and current needs.
Another bill included in the state budget could cost local businesses, yeshivos, and schools hundreds of thousands of dollars. Employers with 50 or more workers will now be required to pay a new state fee for each employee and dependent who receives health insurance through NJ FamilyCare, New Jersey's Medicaid program. The new assessment is expected to significantly increase costs for many large employers.
Did lakewood Schnall vote for the budget?
ReplyDeleteWe voted for Avi Schnall because he was an insider and promised us results. He has failed on every public promise. He has delivered to his nursing home moguls that pushed him in. He should be embarrassed to show his face in public. And he will likely not run again, which is why he secured himself his new Agudah role. We need to stop voting for reps that don't have our interests in mind.
ReplyDeleteAguda is run by the gedolim through the moetzes, your motzi shem ra on the gedolim is a very serious aveira
DeleteBMG advised that student with unpaid student loans will not be permitted to register for the coming year. is this because of the budget restrictions to private schools with loans? Federal?
ReplyDeleteThe askanim/politicians will now come hand over bucket asking for more dole. For which it will be implied-you could get, if you but surrender further of your communal positions & stances, in return.& naturally they'll accede..
ReplyDeleteVery shrewd & polite of Trenton.
Welcome to politics. If you vote for the wrong politician they figure out a way to pay back big time.
ReplyDeleteSherrill didn't get Lakewood votes, so she obviously won't cater to our needs. Are we supposed to vote for her net time?
ReplyDeleteDid she signal that she wants our votes?
DeleteEmployers won't hire people that are in NJ care. who really loses at the end of the day?!
ReplyDeleteThis is what happens in politics. Lakewood backed Gottheimer a fourth-place candidate in the Democratic primary and then endorsed Jack Ciattarelli in the general election. Whether that influenced this budget or not, politicians tend to prioritize the communities and allies who helped elect them. Governor Sherrill doesn't owe political favors to a town that didn't support her, and Lakewood is now seeing the consequences of having little influence with the current administration.
ReplyDeleteI don't see how new Medicaid law will affect anything First of all it doesn't apply to part time employees and secondly anybody that's a full time employee is probably making over the Medicaid limits
ReplyDeleteThe township gave away tax abatementes valued at 8 million dollars that could have increased the tax rolls
ReplyDelete