Dems Prepare to Fight for After-School Program
Posted: Monday, 28 February 2011 5:04AM on New Jersey 101.5FM Radio website HERE
Kevin McArdle Reporting
In a replay of a budget battle that took place last year, Democrats says they're ready to go toe-to-toe with Governor Chris Christie again this year over the New Jersey After-3 program. Christie's budget proposal seeks to eliminate state funding for the New Jersey After 3 program to save $3 million out of a nearly $30 billion budget.
Assemblyman Paul Moriarty, says, "Unbelievable. This governor's assault on working class New Jerseyans continues and is actually quite shocking. We had to go through this last year, and here we are back once again fighting against this governor for working families."
New Jersey After-3 is a statewide network of afterschool programs in urban, suburban and rural school districts. Moriarty said the cut would likely particularly hit hard in communities. Last year, Christie also proposed eliminating funding for the program, but after Moriarty and other legislators objected, he restored the $3 million.
"Governor Christie often talks about not wasting a child's future, yet turns around time and time again and attacks a program that helps children build strong futures," explains Moriarty. "I have been a leading voice for controlling spending, but we cannot do so blindly. This cut, in particular, is an assault on New Jersey's middle-class."
The Assemblyman points out that studies show that students who participated in New Jersey After 3 programs for two or more years achieved significant gains in language arts skills and demonstrated improvements in study skills, math skills and computer skills.
Moriarty says, "This is consistent with studies that indicate high-quality afterschool programs improve student achievement and put students on-track towards a high school diploma and success in life."
Christie has vowed support for a plan to find $360 million in public money to create a voucher system for private schools.
"The governor backs spending public money to send students to private schools but can't find 3 million for after-school care for our public school kids," says Moriarty.
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