BLOCS Succeeds In PA, Could Do More, IF . . .

We've reported here before how the BLOCS program in Pennsylvania has had remarkable success.

BLOCS is Pennsylvania’s leading scholarship organization dedicated to the PA Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) and Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC) and has just announced a year of historic achievement in fundraising for private schools throughout the state. As BLOCS closes the end of their fiscal year, the non-profit organization reports they are on track to raise $250 million in need-based scholarships.

And BLOCS can do a lot more IF Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro opts into the new federal Federal Scholarship Tax Credit (FSTC) program. So far, the governor has not done so and that could cost schools and childen Big Bucks. In fact, Pennsylvania students could miss out on hundreds of millions -- up to nearly a billion dollars in private-donor-funded K–12 scholarships as funds flow to participating states.

Created under federal action, the new initiative offers dollar-for-dollar federal tax credits (up to $1,700) for individuals and businesses donating to non-profit organizations that issue K–12 scholarships for private and public school-related expenses. But, to let in-state residents and students participate and benefit, the state’s governor must formally opt in. As Pennsylvania's largest Scholarship Granting Organization (SGO), BLOCS currently relies heavily on state-level programs. The federal program opens the door to matching funds and an expanded donor base through smaller contributors, among other benefits. 

Currently, BLOCS estimates they will be able to serve more than 43,000 students in the coming school year. This is the largest population that BLOCS has ever served in a single school year in its 40+ year history. Think how much wore they could accomplish if Pennsylvania were to opt into the federal initiative!

BLOCS CEO Rob Delany celebrates these achievements with the community of donors, schools, students, and supporters of the EITC program. “BLOCS is proud to reach this milestone of serving over 43,000 students in the coming year,” Delany said. “We are incredibly grateful to our more than 150 corporate donors, thousands of individual donors, and hundreds of school partners who work with us in each facet of the EITC program to create opportunities for deserving students.”

BLOCS  ensures that children receive the greatest scholarship support possible. Thanks to the efficiencies of responsible management, more than 98 cents of every dollar contributed to BLOCS is directed to a student as a need-based scholarship.

As an independent charitable organization BLOCS provides access to high-quality, value-based education for children ages Pre-K through 12th grade across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Through the generosity of its donors, BLOCS partners with over 500 schools to provide over 40,000 need-based scholarships. More can be found at www.blocs.org.

A Question That DEMANDS To Be Answered!

 

This Is Absolutely Outrageous And Unconscionable!

 

It Certainly Makes Sense To Us . . .

 

The Murphy Legacy: Higher Taxes; Worse Schools

Solutions NJ? Well Yes, IF You Pay Attention!

 

NJ Legislators Announce Added School Funding

New Jersey State Senator Declan O’Scanlon, Assemblyman Gerry Scharfenberger and Assemblywoman Victoria Flynn (R’s – Monmouth) announce that six school systems within the 13^th Legislative District will receive additional funding in the form of Stabilization Aid this school year, which will offset those loses those schools encountered when the Murphy Administration reduced state aid to several Monmouth County school districts.

The news of increased funds comes after months of advocacy by the Legislators of District 13 to the New Jersey Department of Education that school districts cannot absorb those losses while also trying to address the academic, social and emotional needs of students following years of interrupted learning due to the pandemic.  All three legislators have supported the use of the federal dollars the State has received but not yet used to address these shortfalls in funding.

“This is a step in the right direction, but the work is far from over. It is encouraging that our consistent advocacy has resulted in additional funding, yet we have a long way to go until our schools recoup the entirety of aid they rightfully deserve,” said Senator O’Scanlon. “We are not going to rest on our laurels, we are going to continue to push the administration and Department of Education until our school districts are made whole. We will stay to be on the frontlines of this fight and this coming budget cycle will give another opportunity to keep the pressure mounting.”

“It is encouraging to see that the enormous amount of force we put on the New Jersey Department of Education during the Assembly Budget Committee hearings led to this announcement. We have and will continue to hold the department accountable for the negative impacts their cuts have had on our schools as well as taxpayers who have been left to carry the financial burden,” commented Assemblyman Scharfenberger. “I am encouraged that they have relented, and more aid is rightfully being sent to these districts, yet we have a long road ahead of us.”

Assemblywoman Flynn concurred with her colleagues and commented that,

“While we are pleased that the State has restored some funding for the current school year to our school districts here in Monmouth County, we all know it is not a long-term solution to the public education crisis that exists in this State. The fact remains that the State chose to cut state aid to District 13 school districts earlier this year, in the amount of $7.4 million, despite being aware of the remedial work that needs to be done to catch students up because of interruptions to their schooling over the last three years. That decision alone was unconscionable. We have no guarantee that those school districts receiving stabilization aid this year will receive it again next year, which is startling news to any school district that is now in the throes of preparing for next school year’s budget.”

Assemblywoman Flynn further commented on the delayed release of Spring test scores by the State (which was released on the eve of the holiday season) by noting that, “To date, there appears to be no plan by the State to combat learning loss – an inexcusable lack of action that has very real-world implications. For instance, the data released about the present-day High School Seniors in this State shows more than half are not ready to graduate high school. How is that acceptable?  How does this data not set off alarm bells throughout the State to address those known gaps in education? Thus, the restoration of funding is fantastic news for those school districts that applied to receive this one-time funding source, but the State needs to implement a long-term solution to reallocate State resources to address the known academic needs of our students while also ensuring that schools have additional support to address the mental health needs of New Jersey students. We need to treat students as a priority, and right now, we are not, as a State, in how we budget for our schools.”

13^th Legislative Districts Awarded Stabilization Aid

1.       Hazlet Schools: $336,545

2.       Keansburg Schools: $3,640,000

3.       Keyport Schools: $56,803

4.       Marlboro Schools: $2,143,646

5.       Middletown Township Schools: $1,970,000

6.       Union Beach Schools: $1,124,800

 

Stabilization Aid is a competitive grant process that school districts must apply for to recuperate limited funding from cuts imposed as a result of State’s School Funding Formula changes enacted by the Murphy Administration. The FY 2023 State Budget held a total of $30 million for this grant.

Comparatively, schools within the 13^th Legislative District (Monmouth County) were imposed with $7.4 million in funding cuts this year and a total of over $19 million since the changes were implemented in 2018.

Cherry Hill: Questions From A Worried Taxpayer!

To The Taxpayers of Cherry Hill regarding Thursday's School Bond Vote: Dear fellow taxpayers, Like you, I have spoken with my neighbors and fellow tax paying citizens of Cherry Hill who have questions and concerns related to the upcoming special election for the School Bond. I ask that you please consider the following:

• Why did our representatives and interested parties decide to have a special election at a greater cost to the Taxpayers, and not bundle this into the upcoming November Elections? My concern here is that, in targeting only “interested voters” and not the general voting population, the results of the vote, either For or Against will not accurately reflect the will of the entire community. I feel that this is not in keeping with the spirit of equity that our community holds dear. This vote impacts every taxpayer in Cherry Hill, not just those with children. We all have skin in the game.

• Why does it seem that Cherry Hill subcommittee members have access to information, processes and protocols regarding the Bond that the average Cherry Hill taxpayer does not? It seems to many of us that the dissemination of pertinent information regarding the Bond has not been adequately provided to every voter in Cherry Hill. This too, is not equitable.

• Why does Cherry Hill Tomorrow and its establishment- supporters claim they presented Cherry Hill Taxpayers with an unbiased perspective, when their handouts show clear bias in favor of voting Yes to the bond? Please read it for yourself.

• Why does the ballot show color and font that matches the same color and font used on Cherry Hill Tomorrow’s promotional handouts? I believe this is no accident, but instead intended to manipulate the voter into voting Yes to the bond. Please read it for yourself.

• Why does all local media in our town promote voting Yes to the Bond? Why are we not presented with a balanced “pros and cons” approach to this Bond Vote?

• Why have our schools been allowed to fall into their current state of disrepair? Were they neglected intentionally? Is this situation the result of incompetence? What happened to all the money we gave them over the years and decades? Is this a manufactured crisis?

• Why does the Bond Ballot read like a Homeowners Insurance policy? Ask yourself if you honestly understand it. If you don’t, ask yourself if that's an accident. Please read it for yourself.

• Why does the ballot begin by stating “The Board of Education in the township of Cherry Hill, in the county of Camden, NJ IS AUTHORIZED TO UNDERTAKE various improvements, alterations, renovations, repairs…etc”? I believe this language is intentionally deceptive and assumptive, and that it misleads the voter into believing that the Bond is already a decided issue. Please read it for yourself. I believe the Cherry Hill BOE and the Cherry Hill Tomorrow group have framed the Ballot Question to seem like it’s simply a questionnaire that we are answering. Do not be fooled! The BOE is not authorized to do anything until WE, the TAXPAYERS, vote to give them permission. WE are the one with the power to authorize. That’s why the Bond requires our vote in the first place. Please don’t forget that.

I believe the Cherry Hill BOE and the Cherry Hill Tomorrow group have framed the Ballot Question to seem like it’s simply a questionnaire that we are answering. Do not be fooled! The BOE is not authorized to do anything until WE, the TAXPAYERS, vote to give them permission. WE are the one with the power to authorize. That’s why the Bond requires our vote in the first place. Please don’t forget that.

• Why does the Ballot close by asking “Do you approve the bond proposal question”? There are approximately 370 words on the ballot, but nowhere is a question actually asked prior to asking for your approval. Please read it for yourself.
• Why have multiple OPRA requests been denied to taxpayers that would provide all of us the detailed information needed so that we may vote intelligently on a bond which is in excess of $360 Million Dollars?

• Why does the Cherry Hill Tomorrow website show different figures for the Bond than the ballot itself shows? In closing, I wish to make it clear that many of us want our schools to be repaired and brought to an adequate state so that our children receive an excellent education in a comfortable environment that promotes scholastic excellence. However, I am worried by the decisions and actions of the current BOE and its supporters, precisely because they have failed to provide Cherry Hill Taxpayers with an adequate, unbiased and comprehensive presentation of facts, both pro and con. I am suspicious of their decision to hold a special election which typically results in lower voter turnout. I am critical of the lack of continuity in their messaging, in the inconsistency of their presented figures, in their decision to deny requests by fellow taxpayers for greater detailed information so that we may responsibly vote with sufficient knowledge and awareness, and according to our own individual conscience. I resent the effort to manipulate Cherry Hill Taxpayers into feeling guilty and shaming us to vote the way we’re being told to vote. In the present economy, one which sees inflation rising at a level not seen in 30 years, where the cost of living climbs higher and higher while our incomes do not, where the stock market continues to perform poorly, where the hardships of war threaten our financial security, where the realities of the COVID pandemic recently kept our children home for almost 2 years, and a town where every property owner and renter is already taxed far above the national average, I do not think that it is shameful to ask that all Cherry Hill taxpayers and registered voters reject the current bond request and vote NO on Thursday, October 6th.

In closing, I wish to make it clear that many of us want our schools to be repaired and brought to an adequate state so that our children receive an excellent education in a comfortable environment that promotes scholastic excellence. However, I am worried by the decisions and actions of the current BOE and its supporters, precisely because they have failed to provide Cherry Hill Taxpayers with an adequate, unbiased and comprehensive presentation of facts, both pro and con. I am suspicious of their decision to hold a special election which typically results in lower voter turnout. I am critical of the lack of continuity in their messaging, in the inconsistency of their presented figures, in their decision to deny requests by fellow taxpayers for greater detailed information so that we may responsibly vote with sufficient knowledge and awareness, and according to our own individual conscience. I resent the effort to manipulate Cherry Hill Taxpayers into feeling guilty and shaming us to vote the way we’re being told to vote. In the present economy, one which sees inflation rising at a level not seen in 30 years, where the cost of living climbs higher and higher while our incomes do not, where the stock market continues to perform poorly, where the hardships of war threaten our financial security, where the realities of the COVID pandemic recently kept our children home for almost 2 years, and a town where every property owner and renter is already taxed far above the national average, I do not think that it is shameful to ask that all Cherry Hill taxpayers and registered voters reject the current bond request and vote NO on Thursday, October 6th. This will send a message, loudly and clearly, that this BOE failed their obligation to our community, and that they go back and re-do this work assignment correctly. They will have the opportunity in the future to present a better bond, in full transparency to ALL of the citizens of Cherry Hill, and to do so in a conscientious manner that is respectful and equitable to us all.

Sincerely,

Patrick Mattucci 

Cherry Hill resident and taxpayer since 2001

WARNING: Don't Fall For This $400 Million Scam!

You know that New Jersey property taxes are already the highest in the nation. In Cherry Hill, payment was due at the end of August. And, if you’ve checked it out, you’ve noticed that more than half of your property taxes go to the local schools. More than half!  Furthermore, quarterly taxes will be due again in November!

The Cherry Hill School District has an operating budget exceeding $272 million per year. That comes to more than $26,000 per student. Yet the national average for private school tuition is less than half that — about $12,000 per student. 

So, the school district has plenty of money. They’re already collecting more of your property tax dollars than the county, the township, the fire district, the library and the open space fund combined! 

But that’s still not enough. Now, the schools are asking you to  cough up hundreds of millions more. 

Yes, they want you to approve a bond issue (basically a borrowing plan) of $363 million that they say they need for the schools. That will increase your property taxes by an average of $400 every year  for the next 20 years. And that’s without any other increases the school district will enact each and every year as history has shown the school budget grows annually. Check your annual tax bill. You’ll see that the budget and the taxes go up — not down — every year!

A few years ago Cherry Hill voters wisely turned down a similar school bond. But now the district is back for another try at an even higher price.

The special school bond election is scheduled for this Thursday, October 6 — not Tuesday and not in November when elections are usually held. Remember: Thursday, October 6. The school district is hoping you won’t even notice there’s an election this week. In fact, they're only making their budget approval pitch to parents of school age children. And they're conveniently leaving you out of the loop. Yes, this approach is sneaky and snarky. But this way they figure they’ll get their voters out to approve the budget while you focus on other things. Don’t let this happen!

Right now, runaway inflation is costing you an extra $340 a month — and that’s a conservative figure! What’s more, New Jersey already has the nation’s highest property taxes and is one of the most heavily taxed states. This is no time to raise your taxes!

Vote NO! on the school bond splurge! 

It’s your money. Tell the Cherry Hill schools to do a better job of managing it! After all, you’re working hard to do more with less. Why shouldn’t they?

Image by Eric Perlin for Pixabay. 

Monday Morning: DO NOT MISS THIS, 9 AM!

 

This Sneaky Gimmick Will Cost You BIG TIME!

Have you received your Cherry Hill property tax bill? Payment was due at the end of last month. And, if you’ve checked it out, you’ve noticed that more than half of your property taxes go to the local schools. More than half!

The Cherry Hill School District has an operating budget exceeding $272 million per year. That comes to more than $26,000 per student. Yet the national average for private school tuition is less than half that — about $12,000 per student. 

So, the school district has plenty of money. They’re already collecting more of your property tax dollars than the county, the township, the fire district, the library and the open space fund combined! 

But that’s still not enough. Now, the schools are asking you to  cough up hundreds of millions more. 

Yes, they want you to approve a bond issue (basically a borrowing plan) of $363 million that they say they need for the schools. That will increase your property taxes by an average of $400 every year  for the next 20 years. And that’s without any other increases the school district will enact each and every year as history has shown the school budget grows annually. Check your annual tax bill. You’ll see that the budget and the taxes go up — not down — every year!

A few years ago Cherry Hill voters wisely turned down a similar school bond. But now the district is back for another try at an even higher price.

The special school bond election is scheduled for Thursday, October 6 — not Tuesday and not in November when elections are usually held. Remember: Thursday, October 6. The school district is hoping you won’t even notice there’s an election. In fact, they're only making their budget approval pitch to parents of school age children. And they're conveniently leaving you our of the loop. Yes, this approach is sneaky and snarky. But this way they figure they’ll get their voters out to approve the budget while you focus on other things. Don’t let this happen!

Right now, runaway inflation is costing you an extra $340 a month — and that’s a conservative figure! What’s more, New Jersey already has the nation’s highest property taxes and is one of the most heavily taxed states. This is no time to raise your taxes!

Vote NO! on the school bond splurge! It’s your money. Tell the Cherry Hill schools to do a better job of managing it! After all, you’re working hard to do more with less. Why shouldn’t they?

Image by Eric Perlin for Pixabay. 

This Sneaky Gimmick Will Cost You BIG TIME!

 Have you received your Cherry Hill property tax bill? Payment was due at the end of last month. And, if you’ve checked it out, you’ve noticed that more than half of your property taxes go to the local schools. More than half!

The Cherry Hill School District has an operating budget exceeding $272 million per year. That comes to more than $26,000 per student. Yet the national average for private school tuition is less than half that — about $12,000 per student. 

So, the school district has plenty of money. They’re already collecting more of your property tax dollars than the county, the township, the fire district, the library and the open space fund combined! 

But that’s still not enough. Now, the schools are asking you to  cough up hundreds of millions more. 

Yes, they want you to approve a bond issue (basically a borrowing plan) of $363 million that they say they need for the schools. That will increase your property taxes by an average of $400 every year  for the next 20 years. And that’s without any other increases the school district will enact each and every year as history has shown the school budget grows annually. Check your annual tax bill. You’ll see that the budget and the taxes go up — not down — every year!

A few years ago Cherry Hill voters wisely turned down a similar school bond. But now the district is back for another try at an even higher price.

The special school bond election is scheduled for Thursday, October 6 — not Tuesday and not in November when elections are usually held. Remember: Thursday, October 6. The school district is hoping you won’t even notice there’s an election. In fact, they're only making their budget approval pitch to parents of school age children. And they're conveniently leaving you our of the loop. Yes, this approach is sneaky and snarky. But this way they figure they’ll get their voters out to approve the budget while you focus on other things. Don’t let this happen!

Right now, runaway inflation is costing you an extra $340 a month — and that’s a conservative figure! What’s more, New Jersey already has the nation’s highest property taxes and is one of the most heavily taxed states. This is no time to raise your taxes!

Vote NO! on the school bond splurge! It’s your money. Tell the Cherry Hill schools to do a better job of managing it! After all, you’re working hard to do more with less. Why shouldn’t they?

No means NO! Vote No On CH School Bond!

Mail-in ballots have gone out for the special October 6 Cherry Hill School bond election with the school board asking residents for permission to borrow $363 million for school funding. 

Just four years ago voters turned down a plan to borrow $210 million. So now, during a time of record-breaking inflation and an economic downturn, why would we approve borrowing nearly twice as much as we turned down then? Why? It makes no sense!

NO means NO! Vote NO via your mail-in ballot or on October 6. Say NO to higher taxes!

 

Oh, That Secret Cherry Hill School Bond Vote!

Have you received your new Cherry Hill property tax bill? Payment is due at the end of the month. And, if you’ve checked it out, you’ve noticed that more than half of your property taxes go to the local schools. More than half!

The Cherry Hill School District has an operating budget exceeding $272 million per year. That comes to more than $26,000 per student. Yet the national average for private school tuition is less than half that — about $12,000 per student. So, the school district has plenty of money. They’re already collecting more of your property tax dollars than the county, the township, the fire district, the library and the open space fund combined! 

But that’s still not enough. Now, the schools are asking you to  cough up hundreds of millions more. Yes, they want you to approve a bond issue (basically a borrowing plan) of $363 million that they say they need for the schools. That will increase your property taxes by an average of $400 every year  for the next 20 years. And that’s without any other increases the school district will enact each and every year as history has shown the school budget grows annually. Check your annual tax bill. You’ll see that the budget and the taxes go up — not down — every year!

A few years ago Cherry Hill voters wisely turned down a similar school bond. But now the district is back for another try at an even higher price.

The special school bond election is scheduled for Thursday, October 6 — not Tuesday and not in November when elections are usually held. Remember: Thursday, October 6. The school district is hoping you won’t even notice there’s an election. That way, they’ll get their voters out to approve the budget while you sit this one out. Don’t let this happen!

Right now, runaway inflation is costing you an extra $340 a month — and that’s a conservative figure! What’s more, New Jersey already has the nation’s highest property taxes and is one of the most heavily taxed states. This is no time to raise your taxes!

Vote NO! on the school bond splurge! It’s your money. Tell the Cherry Hill schools to do a better job of managing it! After all, you’re working hard to do more with less. Why shouldn’t they?

Image by Eric Perlin for Pixabay.

How Murphy Lied About 'Help' For This District

New Jersey's 10th Legislative District lawmakers expressed shock over Governor Phil Murphy’s comments during the recent gubernatorial debate that he “already worked with Toms River” on school funding to address the school district’s concerns about massive cuts to State aid.

The 10th Legislative District lawmakers expressed shock over Governor Phil Murphy’s comments during the recent gubernatorial debate that he ‘already worked with Toms River’ on school funding to address the school district’s concerns about massive cuts to State aid. (SenateNJ.com)

“If ‘working with them’ means gutting Toms River’s State school aid like a fish, then I guess Governor Murphy is telling the truth,” said Senator Jim Holzapfel. “The Murphy administration slashed aid for Toms River schools by more than 14 percent this year alone. The Governor ripped away more than $8 million in funding, an especially devastating loss for a district that has already seen its annual educational support from Trenton reduced by more than $17 million – 25 percent – under Murphy.

“Schools have had no choice but to make draconian cuts, and property taxpayers are forced to dig deeper every single year to make up for the shortfall.  It’s an insult to every parent and property owner in the district for the Governor to hold Toms River up as a school aid victory,” Holzapfel continued. “It is a disaster.”

Since the beginning of the Murphy administration, annual State aid to Toms River Schools has been cut from $66,975,394 to $49,724,966.

Funding for another school district in LD 10, Brick Township, has also been eviscerated with a loss of almost 20 percent in state aid this year, and a 37.9 percent cut during Murphy’s term.

“These fiscal assaults on our schools and taxpayers are happening while Murphy is wasting hundreds of millions of dollars on hand-picked pet projects in his election year budget,” said Assemblyman Greg McGuckin. “The Governor stripped away money from Ocean County school children to build a new museum in Jersey City for $24 million and to dredge a marina in Woodbridge. What he has done to our schools is appalling.”

The 10th District lawmakers have fought for school funding transparency for years, and introduced legislation in 2019 that would require the State Department of Education to reveal to school districts the data and software algorithms used to calculate school aid.

“There is no accountability, no transparency in the process. Murphy’s school funding has been anything but fair, and the Administration refuses to tell us how they come up with the numbers,” said Assemblyman John Catalano. “New Jersey taxpayers deserve to know what’s behind the calculations and how the data is being manipulated. Something this important cannot be a State secret.”

Legislation sponsored by the 10th District team, S-2438 and A-452, would force Governor Murphy to detail exactly why he is cutting aid to Ocean County schools and others across New Jersey.

A Smart, Sensible, Diligent Candidate For All!

Nick Gaudio is running for Cherry Hill School Board.

And he has our complete and unequivocal endorsement!

VOTE GAUDIO 11/2!

Bio: Nicholas J. Gaudio, Jr.

Nicholas (Nick) is a 30 year Cherry Hill resident, having grown up in the Kingston neighborhood from age 5-25, during which time he attended Kingston Elementary School, Carusi Middle School, and Cherry Hill High School West (1999) and Villanova University (2003). With his wife, Christina, deceased in 2019, he had lived in Merchantville and Reston, Virginia from 2005-2011, ultimately moving to the Olde Springs Crossing neighborhood of Cherry Hill in 2011. Their move back to Cherry Hill was influenced by Cherry Hill’s strong public education system and diverse community for their older daughter, Sophia (now 11, Rosa International Middle School), and future daughter, Lucille (now 8, Thomas Paine Elementary School).

As a sociable, widowed single parent, Nick prides himself on his informal open door policy to all friends, neighbors, and their children, and the casual nature of being on a first name basis with all. For years, family and friends have tried to convince Nick to get involved in politics because of his friendly demeanor, ability to disagree fearlessly but respectfully, and ability to validate his opinions with logic and facts. At a time while all of our children are experiencing a reduction in their own personal freedom, Nick has decided that he needed to advocate for our children. Nick is a lifelong believer in all personal liberties and freedoms, and does not support the notion that any citizens should be subjects to federal, state, or local governments, including restrictions on their rights to receive their education without limiting their ability to breathe freely.

Nick grew up in a public school household. His father, Nick Sr., well known around town for his archival videography, was a 30+ year elementary educator for the School District of Philadelphia. His mother, Lauren, known around town for her excellent Italian-American cooking, was an active member of the PTA throughout his childhood. His upbringing influenced Nick to take an active role in his children’s schooling, attending and/or chaperoning all of their school events, field trips, parties, and meetings. He has a warm and close relationship with all faculty, staff, and administration at their elementary school.

Nick has over 20 years of experience as a systems/security engineer in the defense industry. He received his BS and MS in Computer Engineering from Villanova University in 2003 and 2005, respectively. He is the Vice President of the Association of Scientists and Professional Engineering Personnel (ASPEP) and is also a board member for his condominium association in Wildwood, NJ. In his free time, Nick enjoys spending his summers with his family at Cherry Valley Swim Club and on the beach in Wildwood. Nick also enjoys playing guitar, exercising, cooking spicy food, and making coffee with his French press and manual grinder. Nick is his daughters’ biggest cheerleader during swim meets and he enjoys helping coach their softball teams.

 

Here's Why His Claims Simply Don't Hold Up

A Clear-eyed Look at the Governor's Budget A special message from Regina Egea, President of The Garden State Initiative: As the Governor presented his FY 2021 Budget this week in Trenton, Garden State Initiative was in the forefront of examining the underlying policies and raising questions about its impact on New Jersey residents and businesses. In addition to our statement on the budget, I authored two opinion pieces on aspects of the Governor Murphy’s agenda that appeared in the Asbury Park Press and The Record. In the Asbury Park Press piece, which you can read by clicking on the image at right, I explored the Governor's claims regarding New Jersey's property taxes and posited that  "relief" is only real when some savings are returned to taxpayers and policies impact residents' bottom line. As I write in the op-ed, the details of the Governor’s address, and a clear-eyed review of the facts, illustrate that our state is no closer to taming our property tax beast but is, in fact, heading in the opposite direction. More broadly, New Jersey's "value proposition" is often referenced to justify the higher than average rate of taxes our residents and job creators endure. My op-ed in The Record, which you can read by clicking on the image at left, takes a look at how our state's value proposition compares to the states with whom we are competing in our own region and across the county. An examination of what New Jersey spends in some critical areas like education and infrastructure, and the value delivered compared to other states, deserves a serious examination. No longer can we shrug our shoulders saying “that’s how it is in New Jersey … take it or leave it” because now more are leaving than taking it. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on these op-eds and please share this email with anyone who may be interested. For the latest updates, please be sure to visit our website at gardenstateinitiative.org, liking our Facebook page @GardenStateInitiative and follow us on Twitter @GSI_NewJersey. Sincerely, Regina M. Egea, President Garden State Initiative