Senator Latham Tiver testified before the Senate Education Committee on June 3 in support of legislation intended to restore school funding for communities within New Jersey’s Pinelands and Highlands preservation areas.
The proposed measure, Senate Bill 4118—titled the “Fairness for School Districts in Development Restricted Areas Act”—would provide additional state aid to qualifying districts that have lost funding while facing restrictions on development. These limitations prevent localities from expanding their tax base, making it difficult to offset reductions in state aid.
During his testimony, Tiver said: “The Pinelands and Highlands are critically important regions of our state, yet their communities are often overlooked. In the Pinelands communities I represent, schools are being forced to cancel sports programs and cut staff, while another district is facing a proposed 26% budget increase. Quite simply, residents cannot take another tax increase here in New Jersey.”
Tiver also said: “If we fail to take a serious look at the state’s school funding formula and make meaningful reforms, I fear we will be right back here next year having the same conversation. This legislation is an important step toward addressing the unique challenges facing Highlands and Pinelands communities and ensuring they receive the support they need.”
He was joined by co-sponsors Senate Republican Leader Anthony M. Bucco and Senator Carmen Amato Jr., along with administrators, teachers, parents, and community advocates who spoke in favor of the bill. Bucco serves as Senate Republican Leader representing New Jersey’s 25th Legislative District; he chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee and serves on both that committee as well as Budget and Appropriations, according to the official website.
