(TRENTON) – Assembly Budget Vice Chairman Gary Schaer released the following statement Monday on Gov. Chris Christie’s budget that eliminates state funding for the school breakfast program and slashes it for the school lunch program for New Jersey’s poorest children:
“For many children from across New Jersey’s income spectrum, Gov. Christie’s $5.885 million cut to school breakfast and lunch programs will take away some of the most important nutrition these students receive everyday. Data clearly demonstrates that, due to the recession, students in rural, suburban and urban schools all utilize these critical programs.
“Students who are hungry disrupt class and will make classroom instruction more difficult. Education cuts authored by my Republican colleagues will increase class size. Combined with cuts to school meal programs, they will have created a perfect storm affecting all communities in New Jersey.
“The governor’s cuts directly put at risk our state’s reputation for educational excellence. Representing 0.02 percent of the total state budget, these cuts are shortsighted and will cost taxpayers more money over the long-term.”
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