EWING — Gov. Chris Christie is promoting his controversial school funding formula with a new website that tears into the teachers union and touts estimated tax savings for suburban homeowners.

The Christie administration launched the site — www.nj.gov/governor/taxrelief — as he appeared Wednesday on his monthly “Ask the Governor” program on New Jersey 101.5.

The sweeping proposal, which he’s calling the Fairness Formula, was unveiled Tuesday and calls for a flat $6,599 per student funding for every school district. If implemented, it would present a windfall for wealthier suburban districts while decimating aid to the state’s poorest districts.

Christie’s proposal already has been decried by Democratic leaders as unfair to lower income municipalities.

 

The proposal would need an amendment to the state’s constitution because the extra state aid that urban districts receive is a result of a series of Supreme Court rulings.

“Gov. Christie believes that all New Jersey children should be valued equally,” the website says.

“For far too long, politicians in Trenton have appeased their teachers’ union patrons by throwing more and more wasted money at failing districts. All the while, taxpayers have seen their property tax bills continue to rise and far too many generations of children have been underserved by failing schools that have given them no real promise for successful futures.”

The website displays the average savings on a property tax bill a homeowner would expect under Christie’s formula.

For municipalities that would see a decrease in state aid — and as a result, likely face massive tax hikes — the website says: “The Fairness Funding Formula may not result in a decrease of property taxes for your town, however there are other solutions to lowering municipal government costs.”

Sergio Bichao is deputy digital editor at New Jersey 101.5. Send him news tips: Call 609-438-1015 or email sergio.bichao@townsquaremedia.com.

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