Can Trenton Find Funding for Higher Education Facilities?

Christie and new Senate committee agree that college infrastructure gets failing grade
By John Mooney

The physical condition and capacity of many of New Jersey’s public colleges and universities has long been a sore spot for the state. Its last general obligation bond on the schools’ behalf was in 1988 for $350 million.

“That’s a long time ago, and a lot of buildings are crumbling since,” said former Gov. Thomas Kean, who was in office at the time and last year led a task force calling for the state’s help.

Now, the prospect of state investment -– or at least a voter referendum on it — may be growing.

Gov. Chris Christie last week said that funding for higher education facilities would be a priority of the coming year, and legislative leaders agreed there has been new talk on the topic.

There’s also a new Senate committee devoted specifically to colleges and universities, which will give higher education a higher profile in the Statehouse.

The committee meets for the first time this morning, and its chairwoman — state Sen. Sandra Cunningham (D-Hudson) — said she is sure that funding needs will be high on the list of concerns.

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