NJCCC’s Statement on Governor’s Budget
Given the difficult fiscal situation in New Jersey, Governor Sherrill faced tough choices in her FY27 State Budget, and we appreciate that the proposed budget includes level funding for community college operating aid.
We believe the long-term solution to the state’s fiscal troubles is to make thoughtful, strategic investments that will grow the economy and the tax base, helping put more New Jerseyans on the path to prosperity. New Jersey’s 18 community colleges provide life-changing opportunities to more than 250,000 students of all ages and backgrounds, often being the only affordable, high quality postsecondary educational option. We power the state’s economy and partner with business to meet emerging workforce needs. We play a vital role in community life, helping students and residents access critical resources. In fact, our community colleges are responsible for contributing $12.8 billion to New Jersey’s economy—over $8 in benefits to society for every $1 in public investment.
We look forward to working with Governor Sherrill and her administration, our State Legislators, and our partners across the state to explore ways in future years to increase the investment in New Jersey’s community colleges and our students so that we can fulfill our commitment to achieving the vision we share with Governor Sherrill—for an affordable New Jersey that provides opportunity and prosperity for all.
In the short-term, we share Governor Sherrill’s deep concerns about New Jersey’s failure to address skyrocketing healthcare costs—resulting in bills that, as the Governor noted in her budget address, are a “burden to anyone who buys insurance.” This includes New Jersey’s community colleges, which are currently facing a catastrophic $35 million in additional health care costs driven largely by an increase of 32% in costs through the School Employees Health Benefits Program. We stand ready to join Governor Sherrill and her administration and the legislature in finding solutions to bring these costs down—costs that for our community colleges are already resulting in cuts to staff, programs, and services our students need and tuition increases our students cannot afford.
New Jersey community colleges are essential to any effort to strengthen workforce development in our state and to expand economic opportunity to all of our state’s residents. We appreciate the continued investment in the state budget in our NJ Pathways to Careers Opportunities Initiative, a partnership with the New Jersey Business and Industry Association and other employer associations and labor unions, that aligns education and training with evolving labor market demand. NJ Pathways brings together K-12, vocational-technical schools, community colleges, four-year colleges and universities, employers, labor unions, workforce development boards, and community-based organizations to help New Jersey residents earn industry-valued credentials, degrees, apprenticeships, and family-sustaining careers.
This investment in NJ Pathways, which was recently codified in state law, is consistent with the recommendation of Governor Sherrill’s Jobs, Economic Opportunity, and Prosperity for All Transition Action Team. The innovative public-private partnerships and new programs made possible by the NJ Pathways initiative provides a framework and roadmap for state efforts to align education and higher education with the needs of employers. We look forward to working with Governor Sherrill, her administration, the state legislature and a wide array of partners.
