New Jersey State residents: Take action now!
Make your voice heard for school choice and tuition scholarships!
Call State Senator Shirley Turner’s office at (609) 530-3277
Urge her to post Bill S-2228 for a vote!
November 2006
A bill was recently introduced in the New Jersey Legislature, S-2228, which could provide thousands of dollars in tuition scholarships for elementary and high school children in seven New Jersey cities. The bill creates a pilot program in New Jersey allowing a corporate tax credit for contributions to certain nonprofit educational funding entities, such as scholarship organizations, to assist paying tuition at out-of-district public schools as well as at nonpublic schools. This is intended to help low-income children in these cities choose an educational model suited to their individual needs.
Sen. Shirley Turner, the Chairwoman of the Education Committee, is blocking the bill from being considered. While this bill has widespread and bipartisan support, under Senate rules it cannot be considered without her consent to ‘post’ it for consideration.
The legislation is modeled after Pennsylvania’s program, which now serves over 25,000 students and through which the Jewish community has raised millions of dollars for Jewish day schools. Over 75 non-profit organizations in Pennsylvania, including Jewish federations, distribute scholarships to thousands of students each year. New Jersey’s modest pilot program provides a second chance for students in seven of New Jersey’s cities (Camden, Newark, Orange, Trenton, Elizabeth, Paterson & Lakewood).
Chairwoman Shirley Turner of the Senate Education Committee must hear from all of us concerned with school choice to post this bill.
POINTS FOR EMPHASIS
Call State Senator Shelly Turner today at (609) 530-3277.
Urge her to post Bill S-2228, the Urban School Scholarship Act!