Gov. Christie still has not set aside cash to fund Rutgers reorganization

By Jarrett Renshaw/The Star-Ledger

Facing pressure from Gov. Chris Christie and the other political powers in the state, a divided Legislature approved a higher education reorganization plan last summer without knowing how much it would cost and who would pay the bill.

Months later, the governor has still not set aside any money in his latest budget to pay for it.

The Assembly Budget Committee will try to crack the code today when it hears from Robert Barchi, Rutgers University’s new president, and Rochelle Hendricks, the state secretary of higher education.

“Does Rutgers have the money to effectuate a complex reorganization?” asked Assemblyman Albert Coutinho (D-Essex), a member of the Budget Committee. “The answer, apparently, is no.”

More>>