Holzapfel, McGuckin & Catalano Introduce Bill to Increase Transparency in School Funding
Senator Jim Holzapfel and Assemblymen Greg McGuckin and John Catalano have introduced legislation (A-452) to address ongoing transparency issues with the methods used to determine State school aid. The bill requires the Department of Education to release to the school district, the data and software program used to calculate aid.
Holzapfel, McGuckin & Catalano have introduced legislation to address ongoing transparency issues with the methods used by the NJ Department of Education to determine State school aid. (Flickr)
Schools in the 10th Legislative District have had their funding severely cut under Governor Murphy’s budgets, and attempts to have the Department of Education provide full transparency when determining Local Fair Share have been unsuccessful.
“We have repeatedly demanded full transparency from the Department of Education about their process for calculating our Local Fair Share,” said Senator Holzapfel. “It’s appalling that the DOE continues to keep secret their calculations of what they think our property taxpayers should pay. We are in a position now where legislation is needed in order to get the answers our school districts deserve.”
10th District Legislators Say Governor’s State of State Gave NJ Residents More Reasons to Leave
Cite Last Week’s IRS Report as Reason Things Must Change
The legislators of the 10th District, Senator Jim Holzapfel, Assemblyman Greg McGuckin, and Assemblyman John Catalano responded to Governor Murphy’s State of the State address saying it lacked any solutions to improve affordability and simply gave residents more reasons to leave the state. In addition, a recent report released by the Internal Revenue Service finds that residents who have moved out of the state during 2017-2018 have cost New Jersey billions of tax dollars.
Holzapfel, McGuckin & Catalano said Gov. Murphy’s State of the State address lacked any solutions to improve affordability and gave residents more reasons to leave New Jersey. (SenateNJ.com)
“Governor Murphy and his administration continue to make it unaffordable for our middle-class families,” stated Senator Holzapfel. “It’s been one hit after another with free college tuition for illegals, financial aid for prisoners and the cost of making New Jersey a sanctuary state. That, combined with gutting our school funding and no relief in sight for lowering property taxes, it’s no secret why residents are moving out of state. Continuing this trend of higher taxes and increase costs of living will only drive more residents out of this state.”
Holzapfel, McGuckin & Wolfe: Bill Providing Driver’s Licenses to Undocumented Immigrants Has Serious Flaws
Senator Jim Holzapfel and Assemblymen Dave Wolfe and Greg McGuckin of the 10th Legislative District blasted the Senate Transportation Committee’s passage of legislation which would create a second tier of New Jersey driver’s licenses for those who have entered the country illegally.
Holzapfel, McGuckin & Wolfe blasted the Senate Transportation Committee’s passage of legislation which would create a second tier of New Jersey driver’s licenses for those who have entered the country illegally. (NJMVC)
Due to a recent surgery, Senator Holzapfel was not in attendance at the Senate Transportation Committee meeting but stated he would vote against the bill when it is voted on by the full Senate.
“There are serious flaws with this legislation that could ultimately allow undocumented immigrants from other states to come into New Jersey and get a driver’s license,” said Senator Holzapfel. “The current system requires New Jersey residents to provide extensive paperwork in order to drive on our roads. Why are we accommodating people who are knowingly breaking the law? This bill is an outrage and a political statement by the Governor, who continues to put the interests of undocumented immigrants before those of the taxpaying residents of this state.”
10th District Legislators Support Toms River Student Rally Against School Funding Cuts in Trenton
Students, teachers, administrators, and parents from the Toms River Regional School District were in attendance today to rally against the extreme cuts to school funding. 10th District legislators, Senator Jim Holzapfel, Assemblymen Greg McGuckin, and Assemblyman Dave Wolfe applaud the school districts and stand with them against any cuts to school funding.
Assemblyman Greg McGuckin (left) and Assemblyman-elect John Catalano (right), both R-Ocean, with Toms River Superintendent Dave Healy during a rally outside the office of Gov. Phil Murphy in Trenton on Dec. 10, 2019, to oppose extreme cuts to school funding. (Full Size)
“We have always been opposed to this disastrous plan and we hope that the voices of these students will be heard by all,” said Holzapfel. “Students from every Toms River school joined together to demonstrate that they will not roll over and allow their sports, music, and arts programs to be canceled. Relief is needed now for these schools and their students who are demanding action from the Governor.”
10th District Legislators Introduce Bill Lifting Veil of Secrecy from School Funding Process
Also Oppose Effort by Democrats to Shift School Funding Burden to Property Taxpayers
Senator Jim Holzapfel and Assemblymen Greg McGuckin and Dave Wolfe have introduced a bill that would lift the veil from the State’s secretive methods of determining school aid allocations. The bill, A-6029, requires the Department of Education to release to school districts the data and software program used to calculate aid allocations.
Holzapfel, McGuckin and Wolfe have introduced a bill that would lift the veil from the State’s secretive methods of determining school aid allocations. (Pixabay)
“Suburban school districts around the state, including Brick and Toms River, have been hit extremely hard by the school funding reforms imposed by Democrats last year that are having a devastating impact on our classrooms,” said Holzapfel. “Those cuts are only going to get worse as the formula is phased in over the next few years. We’ve asked repeatedly to see how the Murphy Administration is making those aid calculations to no avail. Our legislation will force the State to be transparent with school districts about how aid allocations are determined and prevent abuses in the process.”
Holzapfel, McGuckin & Wolfe Blast Effort by Democrats to Let Convicted Criminals Vote
Senator Jim Holzapfel, Assemblyman Greg McGuckin, and Assemblyman Dave Wolfe (all R-Ocean) blasted a Democratic legislative proposal that would allow convicted criminals who are on parole or probation to vote in elections.
Holzapfel, McGuckin & Wolfe blasted a Democratic legislative proposal that would allow convicted criminals who are on parole or probation to vote in elections, saying it eventually will lead to prisoners voting in jail. (SenateNJ.com)
“By removing one of the important penalties associated with criminal convictions, Democrats would eliminate a significant deterrent to committing crime that could negatively impact public safety,” said Holzapfel, a former Ocean County Prosecutor. “People who have shown criminal disregard for our laws should not have a role in electing the people who write them.”
Holzapfel, McGuckin & Wolfe Bill to Seek Transparency in School Funding
Senator Jim Holzapfel and Assemblymen Greg McGuckin and Dave Wolfe will introduce a bill to address the ongoing issues with the methods used to determine state school aid. The bill requires the Department of Education to release to the school district, the data and software program used to calculate aid. Schools in the 10th Legislative District have had their funding severely cut under Governor Murphy’s budget and attempts to have the Department of Education provide full transparency when determining Local Fair Share have been unsuccessful.
Schools in the 10th Legislative District have had their funding severely cut under Gov. Murphy’s budget. Senator Holzapfel and Assemblymen McGuckin and Wolfe will introduce a bill to require the Department of Education to release to the school district the data and formula used to calculate aid.
“We have repeatedly demanded full transparency from the Department of Education about their process for calculating our Local Fair Share,” said Holzapfel. “It’s appalling that the DOE continues to keep secret their calculations of what they think our property taxpayers should pay. We are in a position now where legislation is needed to get the answers our school districts deserve.”
10th District Legislators Urge State to Buy Surf Club in Toms River
10th District Legislators Senator Jim Holzapfel and Assemblymen Greg McGuckin and Dave Wolfe are requesting the state utilize the Blue Acres Program to purchase the Joey Harrison’s Surf Club, a former nightclub in Toms River that was destroyed by Superstorm Sandy. The beachfront club suffered irreparable damage from the 2012 hurricane and has not been purchased by a developer. The legislators believe Toms River should have the opportunity to purchase the land through the Blue Acres, a program the 10th District introduced 20 years ago to dedicate funds to conserve flood-prone land.
Senator Jim Holzapfel and Assemblymen Greg McGuckin and Dave Wolfe are asking the state to utilize the Blue Acres Program to purchase the a former nightclub in Toms River that was destroyed by Superstorm Sandy. (SenateNJ.com)
“The structure was completely demolished in Superstorm Sandy and now the state has the unique opportunity to purchase this property and utilize the open space for the public,” stated Holzapfel. “As an original sponsor of this landmark legislation, it is programs such as this that not only benefit the community but preserve the beauty of our coastline.”
10th District Legislators Cite Cumberland County Case as Latest Reason to Oppose Murphy’s Sanctuary State Policies
Federal immigration authorities are searching for a Mexican national, Luciano Trejo-Dominquez from Bridgeton, who is accused of sexually assaulting a teenager under the age of 16. He was released from the Cumberland County jail on August 23rd despite a request by Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE) that he remain in prison until federal authorities could take him into custody.
Sen. Jim Holzapfel and Asm. Greg McGuckin and Dave Wolfe say a sanctuary state directive enacted by the Murphy Administration is a threat to public safety after the release from custody of a Mexican national accused of sexually assaulting a teenager. (SenateNJ.com)
Senator Jim Holzapfel and Assemblymen Greg McGuckin and Dave Wolfe of the 10th Legislative District sounded off on the threat to public safety due to the new directive enacted by Governor Murphy’s administration. This is yet another attempt to turn New Jersey into a sanctuary for illegal criminals.
10th District Legislators Against Driver’s License for Undocumented Immigrants
Residents Urged to Sign Petition Against Governor Murphy’s Plan
In a recent interview, Governor Phil Murphy proclaimed that making driver’s licenses available for undocumented immigrants in New Jersey is a “no brainer.” Senator Jim Holzapfel and Assemblymen Dave Wolfe and Greg McGuckin of the 10th Legislative District are vehemently opposed to this idea and any legislation aimed at providing driver’s licenses to those who have entered the country illegally.
Holzapfel, Wolfe, and McGuckin are vehemently opposed to any legislation aimed at providing driver’s licenses to those who have entered the country illegally. (SenateNJ.com)
“This is a brainless idea constructed by Governor Murphy and the Democrats who seem to care more about illegals than they do about the naturally born citizens of this state,” stated Senator Holzapfel. “Residents pay every time Democrats implement these types of policies in the form of higher taxes, lost jobs, lower wages and a lower standard of living. This proposal is an outrage and a dangerous political statement that jeopardizes the safety of millions.”
