In an editorial, Assemblywoman Jessica Ramirez (D-32) is speaking out against the roughly $4 million in proposed state aid cuts to the Jersey City Public Schools.
New Jersey’s state budget is a statement of priorities. And with the latest proposed cuts to Jersey City’s public school funding, it’s clear that the state is failing to prioritize our children’s education.
A $4 million reduction in state aid to Jersey City schools isn’t just a line item—it’s a direct attack on the resources our students and educators rely on.
Let’s be clear: Jersey City is one of the most dynamic and rapidly growing cities in New Jersey. Yet, instead of recognizing that growth and investing in our future, the state is pulling resources from the very institutions that prepare our next generation.
These cuts will lead to larger class sizes, fewer programs, and a strain on already overburdened teachers. Meanwhile, other districts across the state are receiving increases in funding.
For years, Jersey City has been caught in a political tug-of-war over school funding. The state has argued that as our city’s tax base has grown, we should contribute more to our schools locally.
But the reality is that our district still serves thousands of working-class and low-income families who rely on public education as the great equalizer.
Many of our students are first-generation college hopefuls, children of immigrants, or students facing economic hardships. Cutting their funding now means denying them the support they need to succeed.
This is not a question of affordability—it’s a question of priorities. New Jersey has the resources to fully fund our schools, yet time and time again, Jersey City gets left behind. Our students, our teachers, and our families deserve better.
As an assemblywoman, I will fight for every dollar our district deserves, and I urge my colleagues to do the same.
We must demand a budget that reflects the needs of our communities, not one that weakens our public schools. The future of Jersey City depends on it.
Assemblywoman Jessica Ramirez, New Jersey’s 32nd Legislative District
