New Jersey Allocates $30.5 Million For Security Grants and Expands Budget For Private Schools By $2 Million

Following a months-long budget process, the New Jersey Legislature has now passed the $56.7 billion state budget for Fiscal Year 2025.

The budget, which Governor Phil Murphy signed into law late Friday evening, contains a $2.1 billion deficit and includes over $380 million in cuts.

Agudath Israel of America’s New Jersey office shared that it and its coalition partners have successfully secured several funding increases for key budget items that directly impact the community.

Over the last several months, Shlomo Schorr, Agudath Israel of America’s Director of Legislative Affairs for New Jersey, testified before the Senate and Assembly budget committees on items of importance and met personally with dozens of legislators from both chambers to stress the importance of the currently funded programs,

Thankfully, those efforts led to an overall increase of $2 million for nonpublic schools in the state.

Here are some of the funding amounts included in the budget:

• $1,177 per student in the aid-in-lieu amount for nonpublic school transportation.
• $46.1 million for Chapter 192 remedial services for nonpublic school students.
• $28.2 million for Chapter 193 remedial services for nonpublic school students.
• $7.4 million, at $49 per pupil, for technology for schools.
• $20.1 million, or $130 per pupil, for nonpublic school nursing. This includes an additional $2 million allocation.
• $500,000 for Kosher meals on wheels.
• $30.5 million for nonpublic security aid
• $10 million for a nonprofit security grant program.

“Despite a tough fiscal environment in the state, which resulted in a multi-billion deficit, we were successful in not just preventing cuts to programs important to our community, but also to achieve several funding increases,” said Shlomo Schorr.

“We are extremely grateful to Assemblyman Avi Schnall (D-Lakewood) for his relentless efforts in securing these vital funds,” Schorr added. “His dedication and hard work have been instrumental in achieving this outcome, and we are immensely grateful for his support and advocacy on behalf of our community.”

“Additionally, we extend our heartfelt thanks to Assemblyman Gary Schaer (D-Passaic) for his invaluable contributions. His tireless efforts on behalf of the community have been crucial in ensuring that these essential services are adequately funded, and we are deeply appreciative of his efforts,” Schorr said.