Phil Murphy Cut $4 Million From Public School Choice Program But Had $4 Million For Illegal Alien College Students

Gov. Phil Murphy

There’s been a bit of news about the Garden State coughing up nearly $4 million in college aid for “immigrants living in the country illegally” to “more than 700 undocumented students” this week.

What everyone seems to be missing is that coincidentally roughly $4 million was cut from New Jersey’s Interdistrict Public School Choice Program by Governor Phil Murphy.

According to the State’s own website “New Jersey's Interdistrict Public School Choice Program enables approved choice districts to enroll K-12th grade students who do not reside within their districts without cost to their parents. The program increases educational opportunities for students and their families by providing students with school options outside of their district of residence and giving parents the power to select a school program that best serves their child's individual needs.”

That’s right, Murphy cut $4 million from a program designed to “increase educational opportunities for students and their families” while making sure more than 700 students living in the country illegally could go to college.

According to sources close to the $4 million cut here’s how it went down: In fiscal year 2019 there was approximately $60 million appropriated to the choice program. In Murphy’s proposed fiscal year 2020 budget he reduced the appropriation to $56 million. The legislature increased the amount back to the fiscal year 2019 level by adding $4 million in the budget they sent to the Governor. Murphy line item vetoed the $4 million out.

If you doubt my sources Politico.com reported the $4 million cut back in June. From the Politico article:

He’s also cutting $4 million lawmakers added to support school choice, under the belief that the total was incorrectly calculated; a $1 million for East Orange General Hospital, because the state is providing support through a separate appropriations; and $500,000 for Rutgers Camden to conduct a study in collaboration with Cooper’s Ferry Partnership.

I’m wondering how providing $4 million for illegal aliens to go to college while cutting $4 million from the public school choice program makes New Jersey “stronger and fairer.” Perhaps Governor Murphy will explain it someday. Until then, we’ll keep watching.

PRESS RELEASE: NJGOP Chairman: Democrats Are Holding A Session To Rig Elections

Today NJGOP Chairman Doug Steinhardt smacked state Democrats over a special voting session to change the State's vote-by-mail laws. The press release follows:

Trenton, NJ - Next week, the Democrat controlled New Jersey Legislature will hold a special voting session to change the State's vote-by-mail laws. Earlier last week, Democrat Secretary of State Tahesha Way ruled that voters who requested VBM in 2017 and 2018 must reapply if they want mail-in ballots for the November general election. That angered the State’s Democratic legislative leaders, who’ve been trying for years to rig the State’s election process and perpetuate their majority.

So, Democrat legislators intend to pass a hurried law that will require anyone who opted to receive a VBM ballot in either 2017 or 2018 to also be automatically registered to vote by mail in 2019. 

It is important to note that vote-by-mail applicants in all counties have an option to register to VBM in perpetuity. The legislation that Democrats aim to pass next week will automatically add voters to the permanent VBM rolls who intentionally skipped that option. 

NJ Globe reported that, "Including the 2017 and 2018 vote-by-mail universe for 2019, traditionally an off-off year when it comes to voter turnout, would be hugely advantageous to Democrats. Election results show that in key legislative races, the Democratic advantage could be as much as 70%." Of course it would. 

NJGOP Chairman Doug Steinhardt released the following statement on this matter:

"Democrat politicians in Trenton are trying to rig New Jersey's elections. It’s that simple. They are weaponizing the legislature and waging an all out war against voters’ free will by selectively sending ballots to the people and places their policies prey on. This is the danger of one party rule."

Earlier this year, Democrats created a new law for automatic voter registration. Any New Jersey residents that visit certain state agencies like the Motor Vehicle Commission will automatically be registered to vote.

Chairman Steinhardt continued, "On behalf of the NJGOP, we are calling on the legislature to expand the scope of this special legislative session. Automatic voter registration should be expanded to people who purchase hunting and fishing licenses, business licenses or construction permits, not just the demographics to whom you hope to sell your seats. Who needs the Russians to meddle in US elections when you have NJ Democrats."

PRESS RELEASE: NJGOP Chairman: Murphy Can’t Stay Silent On Anti-Semitic Appointee

The NJGOP wants Gov. Phil Murphy to “break his silence” on recently fired anti-Semitic, anti-Hispanic ranting employee Jeffrey Dye. The state Party’s press release follows:

Trenton, NJ - A report from NJ Globe two days ago revealed that Murphy Administration appointee Jeffrey Dye had made multiple anti-Semitic and anti-hispanic comments on his Facebook page. The Department of Labor later released a statement acknowledging he no longer worked for the state. 

In response, Governor Murphy said - nothing.

NJGOP Chairman Doug Steinhardt released the following statement:

"Governor Murphy is cultivating a culture of blind indifference inside his Executive Administration. His appointees have included convicted bribe takers, alleged rapists, and now admitted bigots. And while the Governor came forward, eventually and begrudgingly, and acknowledged his failures for the likes of Marcellus Jackson, Al Alvarez and Lizette Delgado Polanco, he’s remained disconcertingly quiet on his hiring of Jeffrey Dye, whose anti-Semitic and anti-Hispanic rants were uncovered Monday by the Globe. In fact, it was the Department of Labor that stepped up and fired Dye, since Murphy took no action and made no statement. That’s not leadership. Governor Murphy preaches progressivism but his Administration practices prejudice."

Hudson County GOP Chairman Jose Arango called on Governor Murphy to break his silence on his appointee:

"Governor Murphy's silence on his employee's racist, anti-hispanic social media posts is completely unacceptable. New Jersey deserves a leader who will stand up to racism even when it is politically inconvenient. Right now, the Hispanic community is calling for Governor Murphy to finally show some leadership abilities."