Corzine seeks $2.5B more for poor schools Move made the night before state top court hears arguments on new funding plan Thursday, January 24, 2008 • BY JOHN MOONEY • Star-Ledger Staff In a last-minute bid to head off Supreme Court action, the Corzine administration announced yesterday it would ask lawmakers for at least another $2.5 billion to restart the troubled school-construction program in the state's poorest districts. The plan to borrow another massive infusion of cash follows controversy about how the initial $6 billion was spent and comes just weeks after Corzine lectured lawmakers in his State of the State address on New Jersey's burgeoning debt. A letter revealing the plan was delivered to the court on the eve of yesterday's oral arguments to determine the fate of the troubled facilities program, which was ordered by the justices nearly a decade ago. Lawyers for schoolchildren in the 31 districts covered under the court's Abbott v. Burke rulings have asked the justices to force the state to further fund the program, which stalled in 2005 after running dry amid questions of waste and mismanagement. Some of the justices seemed sympathetic to the request, but they raised questions about the timing and logistics of such an order. More than an hour of questioning focused from the start on the latest proposal. In one exchange, Justice Virginia Long asked the chief lawyer for the Abbott schoolchildren, David Sciarra, whether his appeal would end if the state could produce a $2.5 billion check. Sciarra said it would be a start but quickly noted it wouldn't be enough to finish the job. The state estimates it would cost more than $10 billion to build all the schools the districts say are needed and the Department of Education has approved. He faulted the state for a long history of delays, and noted that introducing legislation is no guarantee it will pass. "So, you also want to see if it (the check) clears?" Justice Barry Albin interjected, drawing some laughter from the full gallery. State Republican leaders weren't laughing, however, blasting the latest proposal in vociferous tones and accusing Corzine of having "reneged" on his Jan. 8 pledge to cut the state's debt. "The words are barely out of his mouth and the ink isn't even on the paper yet on his 'debt reduction' plan and he intends to borrow an additional $2.5 billion," said state Sen. Leonard Lance (R-Hunterdon) in a statement. Senate President Richard Codey (D-Essex) said it was likely the Legislature would approve the measure -- as long as it also includes money for suburban districts -- and noted the state was in a bind given previous court orders. "We knew this was looming, and, frankly, if the governor didn't do something, the court would," Codey said. The development was the latest in the checkered history of a program that began as one of the nation's largest school construction efforts. In addition to the $6 billion for the Abbott schools, the state approved $2.6 billion to partially fund hundreds of projects in suburban districts. Lawyers for the state had held Abbott representatives at bay for more than a year, pleading for more time given the state's fiscal crisis. Now, the administration's latest plan comes as part of Gov. Jon Corzine's broader proposal to restructure -- and reduce -- the state's overall debt with the help of hefty highway toll increases. The letter to the court said "a portion of existing state taxes" would be dedicated to cover the additional debt service. Lawyers said the administration expects a bill to be introduced next month. Sciarra and Richard Shapiro, the lawyer for 13 of the Abbott districts, implored the court to set a deadline for legislative action as early as March or, at least, the end of the current fiscal year on June 30. The justices will rule at a later, unspecified date. "This is not something where children need to be penalized any longer due to bureaucratic delays and politics," Shapiro said. "The time for action is now." Assistant Attorney General Robert Gilson said the good-faith effort by the administration meant no deadline was necessary. He said he anticipated the proposal being enacted by the end of June. "What can't be debated is the state has taken significant steps in what all agree is a long-term problem," Gilson said. Albin peppered the state attorney with questions, however, about long-pending projects, including badly overcrowded and aging facilities in Elizabeth, Jersey City and Keansburg. "There are students at risk today," Albin said. "The point is can a child get a thorough and efficient education if you can't even insure their health and safety?" John Mooney may be reached at jmooney@starledger.com, or (973) 392-1548. © 2008 The Star-Ledger. Used by NJ.com with permission.