Sweeney Speaks To Children’s Priorities at Summit Meeting

Addresses Legislative Actions & Priorities at ‘Children’s Summit’

Deptford – Senate President Steve Sweeney addressed the priorities for children in New Jersey today when he participated in the Advocates for Children of New Jersey’s Children’s Summit, a forum that put a focus on actions to meet the needs of the nearly two million children in the state. The legislative agenda Senator Sweeney spoke to includes recent accomplishments that were put in place for the current fiscal year and related initiatives that will be pursued in the year ahead with a new governor and Legislature.

“The needs and priorities of New Jersey’s children will continue to be a top priority for the current year and when we turn the page with a new governor and a new legislative session,” said Senator Sweeney. “We all have to maintain our commitment to the policies and programs that center on the challenges facing children so that they all have the opportunity and ability to realize their potential. We should all pledge to be advocates for children in New Jersey.”

Senator Sweeney talked about the Democratic budget priorities that were secured in the budget agreement for the current fiscal year, including increased school aid, a boost in funding for Pre-K and special education, support for court appointed special advocates for children, an increase for community providers who aid families and children, and budget language that will provide reimbursements to test for lead in school drinking water.

“The Democratic priorities that we fought for in the budget included key initiatives for children that will have a real-life impact on their health, safety and well-being,” said Senator Sweeney. “We fought for the funding to increase school aid, expand Pre-K and to care for those in need and now we have to work to make sure the funds are used efficiently and the services are delivered effectively.”

The budget agreement included an increase of $100 million in school aid, $25 million to expand Pre-K, another $25 million for special education, $20 million for COLAs for community providers, $7 million for children’s mental health services and a boost of $850,000 for the court appointed children’s advocates.

Senator Sweeney also spoke to an ambitious agenda for children with a new governor, saying that he will continue to fight to expand paid family leave and to increase the scope of school breakfast programs, initiatives that were vetoed by the governor.

“We will have both the opportunity and the responsibility to sustain a children’s agenda with the next administration,” said Senator Sweeney. “When we talk about programs, policies and funding we must remember we are really discussing the lives of children and their families. They will continue to be a top priority.”

Senator Sweeney and Senator Patrick Diegnan sponsored the legislation to expand New Jersey’s successful Paid Family Leave program that allows employees to take time from work to care for newborn children or for sick family members. The expansion will increase the amount of the weekly benefits and lengthen the leave time. Senator Shirley Turner and Senator Nilsa Cruz-Perez authored the legislation to provide more funds for the “breakfast after the bell” program.

Senator Sweeney said he will also work in support of legislation sponsored by Senator M. Teresa Ruiz and Senator Diane Allen that will help combat chronic school absenteeism by having schools measure the levels of absences and to take corrective actions when needed.

Senator Sweeney said he will continue his fight for full funding for all of New Jersey’s public schools, proposing a dedication of revenue from a “millionaires tax” to school aid. Combined with the annual school aid increases in the current reform plan, the additional funds from the new tax would generate an increase of close to $800 million for New Jersey’s schools, going a long way towards full funding.