text: NJ Senate Committee Hears Budget Concerns - South Orange, NJ Patch
  Concerns over education funding dominated the budget hearing Tuesday.
  http://southorange.patch.com/articles/nj-senate-committee-hears-budget-concerns/media_attachments/edit?upload_started=1369400079
  Over 50 people gathered on Tuesday in the conference center of University Hall at Montclair State University for the first public hearing of the New Jersey State Senate Budget Committee.
  "The state wants to punish these kids, another generation of kids, by giving the district less money to do more with," said Rosie Grant, program director of the Paterson Education Fund. "How do we do that with increasing enrollment and decreased funding? It seems to me we're dooming these kids. Please reject the budget. I am not asking for special consideration […], I am simply asking you to fund the school funding reform act, it's the law. You, the Legislature of New Jersey passed it."
  While there is an overall increase in aid for public education from last year, many of the speakers say they worry that the state is still underfunding public education.
  "The governor's proposal leaves all districts far below the levels that have been determined adequate," said Sharon Krengel, policy & outreach coordinator of the Education Law Center.
  Higher education was also addressed, specifically providing more funding to state institutions so tuition can be kept at a reasonable level.
  "Part of my decision to attend this institution was the affordability," said Stephen Way, a junior at Montclair State University. "Having muscular dystrophy, my budget is usually reserved for predominantly tuition and health expenses, which can add up despite receiving government aid. With increasing tuition, I along with many of my classmates, especially those who are disabled like myself, fear we may have to choose between my health care costs and furthering my education."