Garden State Times

Senator Jim Holzapfel (R-10) has urged Governor Murphy to redirect the rescinded Centre Pompidou x Jersey City funds to New Jersey public schools, rather than using them for new projects.

"Governor Murphy and Trenton Democrats once again put their pet-project wish list above the hard-working people of New Jersey—this time cutting funding to our public school in an attempt to impress their ivory tower friends," said Holzapfel. "I have met with everyone and anyone, and done everything I can to get our schools funded yet my colleagues across the aisle continue to ignore the severity of this situation."

On June 28, the New Jersey Legislature voted to de-appropriate $24 million that was previously set aside for the Centre Pompidou x Jersey City project. The Governor’s administration also announced they are clawing back another $34 million allocated for the same purpose.

"Now that the $58 million French arts museum sham has been killed, I am calling for a clear plan to appropriate the money to our public schools. It simply can’t be redirected to some of the hundreds of millions of dollars in unexplained pork projects in the 2025 budget," Holzapfel concluded.

The budget approved by Governor Murphy includes $1 million for an organization in Trenton which lobbies to let convicted felons go free early, have their records expunged, and be allowed to vote. It also includes millions of dollars for tennis courts, artificial turf playing fields, and other discretionary projects while basic education funding is being reduced.

Recently it was announced that the Toms River Board of Education is suing the state of New Jersey as the district faces a near-$27 million budget shortfall.