(TRENTON) — Assembly Speaker Sheila Y. Oliver (D-Essex/Passaic) on Tuesday praised final Congressional approval of legislation that would provide would $268 million in education funding and $399 million for Medicaid assistance for New Jersey.
The Speaker also expressed concern the Christie administration may not accept the funding.
Oliver released the following statement:
“No one questions that these are tough times and state spending cuts are needed. But to question the worth of federal education funding — part of which comes from New Jersey taxpayers — is unfortunate.
“This money would not only help save jobs for teachers who help educate our children and build our future. It would also keep nearly 4,000 teachers on the job in a brutal economy that has stressed our unemployment fund.
“New Jersey has had a long-standing commitment to a quality public education system, and we must retain that commitment with all resources that become available to us.
“Gov. Christie needs to do the right thing and be prepared to use this federal money for the benefit of our children and our economy.
“I’d like to thank New Jersey’s entire Congressional delegation for helping usher this funding so crucial to our state into law, and I look forward to President Obama’s signature.”