Top Democrat wants $125M more for N.J. schools in new plan

TRENTON -- Setting the stage for a potential clash between New Jersey's two most powerful Democratic state lawmakers, state Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto won't back state Senate President Stephen Sweeney's school funding proposal and has developed his own plan to pursue in the state Legislature, he said Saturday.

Prieto (D-Hudson), in an exclusive interview with NJ Advance Media, called the proposal from Sweeney (D-Gloucester) unrealistic and for the first time unveiled details of his plan to address school aid, a complicated and controversial topic that has long vexed state lawmakers.

At its core, Prieto's proposal would add $125 million to help some of the state's most financially distressed school districts. It is a one-year proposal for now. Unlike Sweeney's proposal, Prieto's plan would not reduce any district's current state aid, a major sticking point for the assemblyman.

"I don't want to hurt any districts at all to try and help other districts," Prieto said. "We want to help districts and at the same time find a fair solution for the long haul."

Read more: http://www.nj.com/education/2017/05/nj_school_funding_battle_democrats_christie_fair_f.html