of state money
Assemblyman seeking change in distribution
of state money
BY SHERRY CONOHAN
Staff Writer
ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS — Reform of school funding looms as a large issue in the new legislative session that just opened on Tuesday, according to state Assemblyman Steven J. Corodemus (R-11).
"It’s a two-headed issue — where do we get the money and how do we spend it," said the assemblyman from Atlantic Highlands.
As deputy Republican leader and policy chairman for the Assembly minority, Corodemus will play a leading role in the debate on the thorny problem.
Democrats increased their numbers in the Assembly in the November election and now hold a 47 – 33 advantage over the Republicans. In the last legislative session, Democrats held a slim edge, 43-37, in the 80-member chamber.
Corodemus, who represents a coastal district extending from Atlantic Highlands to Wall, said he was opposed to calling a constitutional convention to deal with the question of how schools should be financed. He said such a convention would be limited to how to raise new revenues, whereas he wants to also look at how efficiently schools spend the money they get now.
Corodemus said he is concerned about the distribution of funds to the 30 Abbott school districts, those that have been deemed the poorest in the state. He questioned whether it was equitable for the Abbott districts to get half of the state aid for schools, while the other half is split among 600 districts.
In addition, out of an $8 billion state school construction bond program, $6 billion was earmarked for the Abbott districts.
"I’m concerned with them receiving so much money," Corodemus said. "Are the taxpayers getting what they deserve? Are the students getting what it was designed for? Are the schools getting better test results?
"Why talk about raising more money if we’re not confident now that the money is being efficiently spent?" he asked.
Corodemus stressed that he can’t speak for the Democrats and said he can’t even speak for the entire Republican caucus.
"But I think a few of my colleagues agree with me and share my concern about the distribution of the Abbott funds in the state," he said.