Rumpf Presses New Education Commissioner on School Aid Cuts: 'Mistakes Have Been Made'

Assembly Budget Officer Brian Rumpf questioned Education Commissioner-designate Lily Laux during an April 15 budget hearing, focusing on New Jersey's school funding formula, property taxes and school aid distribution. Rumpf raised concerns about the state's reliance on property taxes, criticized prior policies that incentivized local tax increases, and questioned whether recent adjustments to the school funding formula have left districts underfunded. The discussion also examined school aid caps, affordability, and the need for a comprehensive review of the School Funding Reform Act. Laux acknowledged that work on a new funding formula is just beginning and described the process as a major undertaking that will require input from stakeholders across the state. Rumpf argued that New Jersey's education system performs well overall but said the current funding system has created challenges for many communities and taxpayers. Watch the full exchange from the Assembly Budget Committee hearing as lawmakers discuss the future of school funding in New Jersey. #NJPolitics #NewJersey #SchoolFunding #Education #PropertyTaxes #BudgetHearing #AssemblyRepublicans #BrianRumpf #NJSchools