Teachers want stimulus money to fund their raises (Newark, Paterson: to buy, school districts)

[TheGambler]

So the Obama administration is borrowing a few more billion dollars from China and giving New Jersey a $286 million chunk to put towards education. Hey, cool, maybe we can restore that state aid so our tax bills can be reduced and some teachers rehired.

Oh, but wait: the teachers, and their union, want the money to go towards raises, as seen in this article in today's Press of Atlantic City:

http://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/...cc4c002e0.html

[AnesthesiaMD]

I have a better idea. We use that $286 million for education, and that frees up $286 million of state money that we would have used for education and then we can use THAT $286 million to pay down some of the debt.

[casper324]

DISGUSTING.........

A one time influx of money isn't going to help NJ residents claw their way out of this massive hole, we need change and we were getting there. Now Odumba wants to buy more votes and put us deeper in debt.

[NJGOAT]

If NJ was smart we would use that money for debt service as another poster recommended. Take the fed money and use it to offset an equal reduction in state aid to schools. Then take the money saved and give it back to the municipalities/school districts and restrict it so that the money can only be used to pay down principle on existing debt. If you have no debt, or have surplus, then the money must be placed into a reserve fund for future capital improvements.

I would be in favor of the state keeping it for debt service as well, but by passing it on the communities, it could actually provide property tax relief.

[mgt04]

Originally Posted by casper324

DISGUSTING.........

A one time influx of money isn't going to help NJ residents claw their way out of this massive hole, we need change and we were getting there. Now Odumba wants to buy more votes and put us deeper in debt.

Agreed...this is all one time influxes of money that won't solve anything in the way they're being used.

I agree with the use of it to pay back debts...but in this new bill that came out, its strictly to fund teachers pay. The bill is a total waste...do they think in one year, towns will be able to turn it around and be able to hire all those teachers back next year when that one time stimulus influx is around to fund them?

Just makes no sense

[Tristateelectrician]

there are strings tied to this money. The money is to to help plug whatever municipality deficits are left. Christie has a problem with it because federal agencies will be controlling how the funds are dispearsed and to whom gets what.

[mgt04]

Originally Posted by Tristateelectrician

there are strings tied to this money. The money is to to help plug whatever municipality deficits are left. Christie has a problem with it because federal agencies will be controlling how the funds are dispearsed and to whom gets what.

Yup I agree with Christie here...the money here we all know will go to Newark, Camden, Trenton, Paterson, ...you know the rest:P

[Kracer]

If NJ was smart they wouldn't take that federal bribe.

Apparently the fine print dictates a raise in downstream funding for education next year in NJ.

This has nothing to do with education. The feds have hoisted the flag of education to disguise their assault on the states. Money that has been earmarked to save teachers salaries has been set aside in favor of borrowing more money to save teachers salaries. The charade of borrowing from the Food stamp program 4 years down the road is nonsense.

The 2010 and 2012 elections will be very close.....make sure you vote

[NJGOAT]

I wasn't aware of the "fine print" on the money. If this ties us into any future spending or the money won't be managed by NJ, then no thanks. This is essentially akin to what Corzine did with the last chunk of federal money we got for education.

[pvs]

Originally Posted by Kracer

The 2010 and 2012 elections will be very close.....make sure you vote

Like there's EVER any real choice anymore {sigh}