Franklin Township Education Association

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Legislative Update 6-19-18

This is being sent on behalf of Government Relations

 

Legislative Update 6-19-18

 

It has been a long couple of days in the State Capitol—and we have a few more long ones before this is over.  Here is a brief summary:

 

  • The BAD news is that the backdoor voucher bill S-2660/A-4098 was released from the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee over NJEA’s objection.  The GOOD news is… so far this bill is NOT posted for a floor vote on Thursday.  We need to continue our advocacy to ensure this bill does not move any further.
  • The BAD news is that the bill threatening Camden’s schools by allowing Renaissance Schools to further expand (S-2722/A-4181) was released from the Assembly Budget Committee AND is posted on the Assembly for a floor vote on Thursday.
  • The GOOD news is… the bill attacking the collective bargaining rights of county college employees by forcing them into the SHBP WAS scheduled for an Assembly vote on Thursday, BUT was REMOVED from the agenda this evening!!! It may not stay off for long, so we must continue to communicate with lawmakers!
  • The GOOD news is… legislation capping payments for unused sick leave at retirement (A-1851) IS NOT, thus far, posted on any agenda this week.
  • Today both the budget committees released legislation modifying the school funding formula.  NJEA testified praising parts of the bill and also suggesting some amendments.  This bill is caught up in budget deliberations.  It will likely pass both houses on Thursday. 
  • Today budget committees in both houses released a budget bill, though the Governor has vowed to veto it.  In terms of spending, the legislature’s budget bill is very similar to the Governor’s proposed budget.  The Governor proposes funding additional spending in the budget through a millionaire’s tax and the restoration of the sales tax to 7%.  The legislature has made clear they don’t want to raise those taxes and instead has proposed a 2-year hike in corporate business taxes and implementation of a tax amnesty program to fund additional spending.  So far, no one is blinking and both houses of the legislature are scheduled to take up the budget bill this coming Thursday.  We are about 10 days from the constitutional deadline to pass a budget, so there seems to be time to work things out before another government shutdown would be necessary.

 

Your NJEA lobbying team has been living in the State House this week and through our conversations with lawmakers and their staff, it is clear to us that your advocacy is making a difference in holding back some really harmful bills.  Legislators are getting your emails, receiving your calls, and that matters more than you know!  We need to sustain this level of effort—and perhaps even grow it—as we get closer to the June 30 deadline for a budget.  Please continue to share these updates with your members and encourage them to take action.  It must feel redundant at this point, but we need to get even more members to write and call.  We are almost there!

 

In this update:

 

  • TAKE ACTION: Stop the backdoor voucher program!
  • TAKE ACTION: Stop the takeover of Camden schools!
  • TAKE ACTION:Stop the attack on collective bargaining in higher education!
  • BILL WATCH: Continue taking action on these bills, even if they are not scheduled for immediate action.
  • Results from June 18-19, 2018
  • Bills to be considered June 21, 2018
  • Suggested good reads
  • When is the legislature meeting again?

 

TAKE ACTION: Stop the backdoor voucher program!

S-2660/A-4098 is a bill that would create a first-of-its-kind “teacher reimbursement” program for private school teachers who teach math, science, or technology. The Senate bill is sponsored by Gopal (D11) and Sarlo (D36). The Assembly version is sponsored by Downey (D11), Houghtaling (D11) and Schaer (D36).

If passed, non-public schools could get teacher salaries subsidized with taxpayer money—a thinly-disguised voucher program to prop up private and religious schools with public funds.

This bill was released by the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee today. 

  • Senators Linda Greenstein and Sandra Cunningham voted NO
  • Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg Abstained
  • Everyone else voted in favor of releasing it from the committee (Please note—since the legislature was not scheduled to meet today, there were many substitutions on this committee)

 

Contact your legislators today: https://www.njea.org/stop-the-backdoor-voucher-program/

485 emails have been sent so far… we need to continue the fight!

TAKE ACTION: Stop the takeover of Camden schools!

S-2722/A-4181 would drastically expand the Urban Hope Act and harm Camden’s public schools. The Senate bill is sponsored by Cruz-Perez (D5). The Assembly version is sponsored by Jones (D5) and Barclay (D5).

The Urban Hope Act was passed several years ago and resulted in the creation of Renaissance Schools in Camden. Renaissance Schools are public schools similar to charter schools in many ways. Now, once again, the Legislature is considering a proposal to expand the Renaissance Schools concept in Camden without regard for its impact on students in other district schools.

This bill was released from the Assembly Budget Committee.

  • All Republicans on the committee voted NO.
  • Assemblyman Benjie Wimberly abstained.  Assemblyman McKeon voted YES but with concerns.
  • All remaining Democrats supported releasing bill.

 

Contact your legislators today! https://www.njea.org/stop-the-camden-schools-takeover/

593 emails have been sent so far… let’s keep standing up for Camden!

 

TAKE ACTION: Stop the attack on collective bargaining in higher education!

A-2001 (Murphy, McKnight)/S-2455 (Sweeney/Oroho) would diminish the benefits of county college employees and retirees by forcing them to switch from the School Employees Health Benefits Plan (SEHBP) to the State Health Benefits Plan (SHBP.)

This bill would unilaterally strip away the health care benefits bargained by county college employees and would force them into a new system where they have no representation and no voice. It would also force retired county college employees to enroll in Medicare Advantage plans, even if they prefer their current Medicare Supplement plan.

Contact your Assembly members today! https://www.njea.org/attack-on-collective-bargaining-in-higher-education/

4230 letters have been sent— Let’s keep it going!

 

BILL WATCH—There may be no recent news on these bills—but we still need members to continue taking action!

 

  • Urge the budget committees to support a budget bill with sustainable revenues!
    • Please write to these members of the Senate and Assembly Budget Committees.  Urge them to support a budget with sustainable revenue to fund our public schools.  Remind them that a millionaire’s tax would be a good start!

 

 

 

  • A-1851 (sponsored by Lampitt, Coughlin) attacks collective bargaining by capping payments for unused sick leave. It could be posted for a floor vote in the Assembly at almost any time.  Please take action to stop this bill!

 

 

Results from June 18-19, 2018

 

  • A-2/S-2 – Modifies school funding lawto eliminate adjustment aid and State aid growth limit; allows adjustment to tax levy growth limitation for certain school districts. (Under Review) (Reported out of committee, 2nd reading in Assembly)
  • A-327 – Requires institutions of higher education to develop open textbooks available to students at no charge and requires buyback of used textbooksat 50 percent of purchase price. (Monitor) (Reported out of committee with committee substitute, 2nd reading in Assembly)
  • A-533 – Requires New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association to require criminal history records checkfor person to serve as official at athletic events sanctioned by association. (No Position) (Reported out of committee, 2nd reading in Assembly)
  • A-841 – Provides for establishment of county college certificate programsto meet needs of certain regional employers. (Support) (Reported out of committee, 2nd reading in Assembly)
  • A-997/S-1208 – Prohibits investment of pension and annuity fundsby State in entities that avoid Superfund obligations to State. (Oppose) (Reported out of committee, 2nd reading in Assembly)
  • A-1048 – Requires property tax bills to contain eligibility information on State tax relief programs. (under review) (Reported out of committee, 2nd reading in Assembly)
  • A-1149/A-3254/S-768 – Requires institutions of higher education to offer open textbooks. (Monitor) (Combined with A-327)
  • A-1186/S-647 – Permits registered voters to receive mail-in ballots automatically for all elections under certain conditions. (Monitor) (Reported out of committee with committee substitute, 2nd reading in Assembly)
  • A-1414 – Requires financial literacy instructionto pupils enrolled in grades kindergarten through eight. (Support) (Reported out of committee with amendments, 2nd reading in Assembly)
  • A-1890/S-869 – Permits establishment by county and four-year institutions of higher education of three plus one degree programsfor receipt of baccalaureate degree after spending three years at county college and one year at senior institution. (Support) (Reported out of committee with amendments, 2nd reading in Assembly)
  • A-2507 – Concerns certain employer reporting requirements. (Monitor) (Reported out of committee, referred to Assembly Appropriations Committee)
  • A-2653 – Commits $3 million from Supplemental Workforce Fund for Basic Skill to NJ Community College Consortiumfor Workforce and Economic Development. (Monitor) (Reported out of committee, referred to Assembly Appropriations Committee)
  • A-3417 – Establishes Talent NetworkProgram in DOLWD. (Monitor) (Reported out of committee, referred to Assembly Appropriations Committee)
  • A-3438 – Requires Director of the Division of Taxation to establish 45-day State tax amnestyperiod that ends no later than June 15, 2018. (under review) (Reported out of committee with amendments, 2nd reading in Assembly)
  • A-3519 – Establishes “Restorative Justice in Education Pilot Program” in Department of Education. (Support) (Reported out of committee with amendments, 2nd reading in Assembly)
  • A-3634/S-1265 – Provides that no more than 120 credits will be required for baccalaureate degreeawarded by a public institution and no more than 60 credits for an associate degree. (Monitor) (Reported out of committee with amendments, 2nd reading in Assembly)
  • A-3765 – Permits school district superintendent to designate school employee with certain expertise as school safety specialist. (Monitor) (Reported out of committee, 2nd reading in Assembly)
  • A-3829/S-767 – Directs Secretary of Higher Education to establish communication campaign to encourage students to enroll in 30 credits per yearand institutions to report to secretary on strategies and incentives to accomplish this goal. (Monitor) (Reported out of committee, 2nd reading in Assembly)
  • A-3902/S-2293 – “Securing Our Children’s Future Bond Act”; authorizes issuance of $1,000,000,000 in general obligation bonds to finance certain school and county college capital projects; appropriates $5,000. (Support) (Reported out of committee with amendments, 2nd reading in Assembly)
  • A-3975/S-2528 – Revises law concerning family leave, temporary disability and family temporary disability leave, and domestic or sexual violence safety leave. (Support) (Reported out of committee with amendments, 2nd reading in Assembly; bill held in Senate)
  • A-4076/S-847 – Requires school districts to provide daily recess periodfor students in grades kindergarten through 5; permits denial of recess for violation of code of student conduct but student must be provided restorative justice activities. (Support) (Reported out of committee with amendments, 2nd reading in Assembly)
  • A-4112 – Requires boards of education and nonpublic schools to provide law enforcement authorities with copies of blueprints and maps of schoolsand school grounds. (Support) (Reported out of committee, 2nd reading in Assembly)
  • A-4147 – Requires school districts to conduct audit of security features of district buildings, grounds, and communication systemsusing standardized checklist and to submit audit to NJ Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness and DOE. (Support) (Reported out of committee with amendments, 2nd reading in Assembly)
  • A-4148 – Allows law enforcement agencies to provide juvenile-family crisis informationto principal of juvenile’s school for planning programs relevant to juvenile’s educational and social development. (Support) (Reported out of committee, 2nd reading in Assembly)
  • A-4149 – Establishes two-year pilot program requiring certain law enforcement agencies to coordinate with local school districts to identify and assist at-risk youths. (Support) (Reported out of committee, referred to Assembly Appropriations Committee)
  • A-4150 – Requires meeting between student and school psychologist or guidance counselor prior to suspension or expulsionfrom public school. (Seek Amendments) (Reported out of committee with amendments, 2nd reading in Assembly)
  • A-4151 – Requires school districts and nonpublic schools to ensure school security training is provided to individuals employed in substitute capacity and persons supervising youth programs in school buildings. (No Position) (Reported out of committee with amendments, 2nd reading in Assembly)
  • A-4163 – (Jersey City Bill) Allows municipality with population over 200,000 to impose employer payroll tax; requires employer payroll tax revenues to be paid to school districtin certain circumstances. (Support) (Reported out of committee with amendments, 2nd reading in Assembly)
  • S-1042 – Requires health insurers, SHBP, and SEHBPto provide coverage for certain drug regimens for treatment of AIDS or HIV under certain circumstances. (Oppose) (Held)
  • S-1282 – “New Jersey Sexual Assault Violence in Education Act”; requires institutions of higher education to adopt anti-sexual assault theater program, report allegations of sexual assault to county prosecutor, and provide students with information on sexual assault. (No position) (bill held)
  • S-1604 – Allows gross income tax deductions for contributions to the NJBEST program. (under review) (Reported out of committee with amendments, referred to Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee)
  • S-1630 – Establishes grant program for school districts and charter schools to develop dual language immersion programs. (No Position) (Reported out of committee, 2nd reading in Senate)
  • S-1794 – Requires institutions of higher education to send out annual student debtletters; requires students enrolled in public institutions of higher education to complete course on student loan debt repayment. (No position) (Reported out of committee, referred to Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee)
  • S-1833 – Requires members of governing boards of public institutions of higher educationto complete a training program developed by Secretary on Higher Education. (Monitor) (Reported out of committee, 2nd reading in Senate)
  • S-1834 – Requires each public institution of higher education to post its budgeton the institution’s website. (No Position) (Reported out of committee, 2nd reading in Senate)
  • S-1865 – Requires health insurers to limit patient cost-sharing and provide appeal process concerning certain prescription drug coverage. (Oppose) (Bill held)
  • S-2135 – Establishes a gross income tax creditfor attendance at New Jersey county colleges. (Support) (Reported out of committee, referred to Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee)
  • S-2303 – Requires establishment of Work and Learn Consortiumsby certain educational institutions to establish certificate and degree programs identified in high labor-demand industries. (Support) (Reported out of committee with amendments, 2nd reading in Senate)
  • S-2516 – Establishes “New Jersey Higher Education Funding Formula Commission.”(Support) (Reported out of committee, 2nd reading in Senate)
  • S-2660 – Establishes salary reimbursement program for teachers in nonpublic schoolswho teach science, mathematics, or technology in certain grades. (Oppose) ((Reported out of committee, 2nd reading in Senate)
  • S-2722 – Requires establishment of common enrollment system in renaissance schooldistrict; expands definition of urban campus area; clarifies that employees of renaissance school projects are in State-administered retirement systems. (Oppose) (Reported out of committee, 2nd reading in Senate)
  • S-2723 – Establishes STEM Loan Redemption Program. (No position; does not apply) (Reported out of committee with amendments, 2nd reading in Senate)
  • A-2001/S-2455 – Transfers county college employees and retirees from membership in SEHBP to membership in SHBP. (Oppose) (Reported out of committee, 2nd reading in Assembly)
  • A-4098/S-2660 – Establishes salary reimbursement program for teachers in nonpublic schools who teach science, mathematics, or technology in certain grades. (Oppose) (Reported out of committee, 2nd reading in Assembly/Senate)
  • A-4121 – Requires DOE and DCF to establish online reporting systems for schools and child care centers to report lead testing results. (Support) (Reported out of committee, 2nd reading in Assembly)
  • A-4200/S-2019 – Appropriates State and federal funds for the State budget for fiscal year 2018-2019. (under review) (Reported out of committee, 2nd reading in Assembly/Senate)
  • A-1888 – Requires minimum of one school bus aide for every 15 special needs students on school bus. (Support) (Reported out of committee, 2nd reading in Assembly)
  • A-4110 – Requires certain school buses to be equipped with lap and shoulder seat belts. (Support) (Reported out of committee with committee amendments, 2nd reading in Assembly)

 

If you would like to see the text for any of these bills go to http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/

and put in the bill number in the “Bill search window” or call the friendly people who work in GR!

 

 

Bills to be considered June 21, 2018

  • A-2/S-2 – Modifies school funding lawto eliminate adjustment aid and State aid growth limit; allows adjustment to tax levy growth limitation for certain school districts. (Seek Amendment)
  • A-841 – Provides for establishment of county college certificate programsto meet needs of certain regional employers. (Support)
  • A-997/S-1208 – Prohibits investment of pension and annuity fundsby State in entities that avoid Superfund obligations to State. (Oppose)
  • A-1048 – Requires property tax bills to contain eligibility information on State tax relief programs.(Monitor)
  • A-1186 – Permits registered voters to receive mail-in ballotsautomatically for all elections under certain conditions. (Monitor)
  • A-1299 – Permits public-private partnership agreements for certain building and highway infrastructure projects; provides for EDA oversight. (Monitor)
  • A-1888 – Requires minimum of one school bus aidefor every 15 special needs students on school bus. (Support)
  • A-3267 – Establishes fee on single-use carryout bags used in certain stores and dedicates fee revenue to “Healthy Schools and Community Lead Abatement Fund.” (Monitor)
  • A-3373 – Requires DEP to adopt Statewide plan to reduce lead exposurefrom contaminated soils and drinking water. (Monitor)
  • A-3438/S-1841/S-2523 – Requires Director of the Division of Taxation to establish 45-day State tax amnestyperiod that ends no later than June 15, 2018. (No Position)
  • A-3634/S-1265 – Provides that no more than 120 credits will be requiredfor baccalaureate degree awarded by a public institution and no more than 60 credits for an associate degree. (Monitor)
  • A-3829/S-767 – Directs Secretary of Higher Educationto establish communication campaign to encourage students to enroll in 30 credits per year and institutions to report to secretary on strategies and incentives to accomplish this goal. (Monitor)
  • A-3902/S-2293 – “Securing Our Children’s Future Bond Act“; authorizes issuance of $1,000,000,000 in general obligation bonds to finance certain school, school district, and county college capital projects; appropriates $5,000. (Support)
  • A-3975 – Revises law concerning family leave, temporary disability and family temporary disability leave, and domestic or sexual violence safety leave. (Support)
  • A-4076/S-847 – Requires school districts to provide daily recess periodfor students in grades kindergarten through 5; permits denial of recess for violation of code of student conduct but student must be provided restorative justice activities. (Support)
  • A-4110 – Requires certain school buses to be equipped with lap and shoulder seat belts. (Support)
  • A-4119/S-2621 – Adjusts from 30 percent to 27 percent rate at which proceeds accruing from sale of lottery tickets are dedicated for public pensions. (Monitor)
  • A-4121 – Requires DOE and DCF to establish online reporting systems for schools and child care centers to report lead testing (Support)
  • A-4163 – Allows municipality with population over 200,000 to impose employer payroll tax; requires employer payroll tax revenues to be paid to school district in certain circumstances. (Support)
  • A-4181 – Requires establishment of common enrollment system in renaissance school district; expands definition of urban campus area; clarifies that employees of renaissance school projectsare in State-administered retirement systems. (Oppose)
  • A-4200/S-2019 – Appropriates $36,517,421,000 in State funds and $16,551,418,698 in federal funds for the State budgetfor fiscal year 2018-2019.
  • A-4228/S-2771 – Requires SHBP and SEHBP to establish audit programensuring that all persons in SHBP and SEHBP eligible for Medicare have Medicare as primary provider of health benefits coverage. (under review; awaiting amendments)
  • S-408 – Directs school districts to establish policies and require training for employees on issues regarding child sexual abuse. (Support)
  • S-641 – Requires that sexual abuse against a childbe reported to law enforcement officials. (Monitor)
  • S-647 – Permits registered voters to receive mail-in ballotsautomatically for all elections under certain conditions. (Monitor)
  • S-858 – Requires teachers of health and physical educationin grades kindergarten through six in public schools to possess appropriate endorsement to instructional certificate. (Support)
  • S-1129 – Requires certain employees and candidates for public school employment or service and youth camp employees to undergo child abuse record information check. (No Position)
  • S-2303 – Requires establishment of Work and Learn Consortiumsby certain educational institutions to establish certificate and degree programs identified in high labor-demand industries. (Support)
  • S-2489 – Requires board of education to post information about child abuse hotlinein each school. (Support)
  • S-2707 – Establishes task force within DOE on prevention of sexual abuse of children. (Support)
  • S-2709 – Provides that certain persons who commit act of sexual penetration or sexual contact with studentswho are 16 or older are guilty of sexual assault or aggravated criminal sexual contact. (Support)
  • S-2711 – Mandates child abuse and sexual abuse trainingfor all candidates for teaching certification. (Support)
  • S-2712 – Mandates sexual assault and child abuse trainingfor DOE arbitrators. (No Position)
  • S-2713 – Requires DOE to collect information on certain teacher misconductand report to Legislature. (No Position)
  • S-2714 – Requires school districts to notify State Board of Examiners when teaching staff member fails to report child abusefor determination of revocation or suspension of certificate. (Seek Amendments)
  • S-2715 – Requires Attorney General to develop protocol for retaining footage from school surveillance system. (No Position)

 

 

If you would like to see the text for any of these bills go to http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/

and put in the bill number in the “Bill search window” or call the friendly people who work in GR!

 

 

Suggested Good Reads:

 

The budget is front and center this week.  Here is another article about where we stand thus far.

 

http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/18/06/18/it-gets-hot-in-trenton-as-governor-duels-with-leading-democrats-over-budget-details/

 

 

FOR POLICY WONKS ONLY… (or if you have insomnia…)

 

 

 

 

When is the legislature meeting again?

 

THURSDAY, JUNE 21, 2018     Senate and Assembly Voting Sessions

MONDAY, JUNE 25, 2018       Senate and Assembly Voting Sessions

THURSDAY, JUNE 28, 2018     Senate and Assembly Voting Sessions

 

 

REMINDER: NJEA WILL HOLD LOBBY DAYS ON THE BUDGET JUNE 21, 25, and 28.  RSVP to Iris Star istar@njea.org or 609-599-4594 x2249

 

 

   

Ginger Gold Schnitzer

Director

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS 

 

180 West State Street

Trenton, NJ 08607

p. 609-310-4363

f.  609-394-3355

ggold@njea.org

 

—

 

 

 

SCEA Scribe Elections

Greetings Members,

SCEA Elections will be open from April 2nd to April 16th. Members can vote online at www.njea.org or via mail-in ballots that will arrive at members’ homes in the coming days. All members are strongly encouraged to vote and have a voice in their representation.

Please find a copy of the SCEA SCRIBE Elections Edition below. This edition will provide members with important information on candidates and elected positions.

We would like to sincerely thank the candidates for their dedication to our members and wish them all luck.

SCEA Scribe Elections Edition

 

Respectfully,
Henry Goodhue
SCEA First Vice President
SCEA SCRIBE Elections Edition

NEA RA Delegates

To all FTEA Members:

 

This is a reminder that the nominations for the NEA RA delegates are open until March 19th. This year the National Education Association Representative Assembly is being held in Minneapolis, Minnesota from July 1 to July 7. The FTEA sends 3 Delegates and Alternates. If you would like to be on the ballot, please contact me and send a short bio that will be distributed to all members before the election. I will also send you the registration form which must be filled out and returned to me before the election.  Please contact me if you have any questions. Thank you!

 

Mrs. Linda M. Markow

Election Chairperson and

4th Grade Resource Room Teacher

Elizabeth Ave. School

Room 40

732-216-3965 (cell)

 

 

Washington D.C Rally

Hello,

 

As you may know, there will be a rally in Washington on Saturday, 3/24 to protest school violence and guns in schools. The NJEA Government Relations Committee is getting a bus to go to the rally. If any of your members are interested, please let me know at president@sceanj.org.

 

 Thank you.

 

Dan Epstein