TRENTON, N.J. – Educators should spend their time planning and teaching, not filling out endless piles of tedious paperwork. To that end, the Assembly on Monday passed a bill that will create the New Jersey Educator Evaluation Review Task Force. Its purpose will be to study and suggest changes to...
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TRENTON, N.J. – In a world fraught with inflation and profligate government spending, with 9 million souls’ futures teetering on the fiscal cliff, three Republican legislators unite to deliver a message of warning, and hope, before Gov. Phil Murphy’s budget address Feb. 27. These leaders—John DiMaio, Christopher DePhillips and...
Bill opening state teaching certification to some nontraditional educators passes Assembly committee
To address New Jersey’s ongoing critical teacher shortage, the state should create a certification route for educators holding a Montessori teaching credential, says Assemblywoman Michele Matsikoudis. Her bill (A4689), released from the Assembly Appropriations Committee Thursday, would require the state Board of Examiners to establish a certification program for...
TRENTON, N.J. – Assemblywoman Michele Matsikoudis’ testimony before the Assembly Education Committee on Thursday spoke to the critical importance of teaching students about grief, an experience that became more common for children during the Covid-19 pandemic. “Improving access to these critical life skills for students in grades 8 through...
TRENTON, N.J. – Republicans on the Assembly Education Committee echoed the call to raise the bar on state aid for schools that leads to lower property taxes. Assembly GOP Leader John DiMaio on Wednesday unveiled a plan to fully fund schools and then require local governments to lower property...
TRENTON, N.J. – Assemblywoman Nancy Munoz’s bill that directs the Board of Public Utilities to establish a program that encourages renewable natural gas procurement advanced Monday. The bill (A577), heard in the Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee, would also urge gas public utilities to make investments in renewable natural...
TRENTON, N.J. – Freshman Assemblywoman Michele Matsikoudis is celebrating a record day and successful year in helping constituents get funds that are rightfully theirs. Since taking office in January 2022, Matsikoudis and her team have recovered nearly $280,000 for residents of her legislative district covering parts of Morris, Somerset...
TRENTON, N.J. – The Internal Revenue Service adjusted tax brackets for 2023 by about 7% in an attempt to counter rapid inflation, the IRS said in a statement on Tuesday. But state tax brackets haven’t changed since 1996. That could mean New Jersey workers whose wages haven’t kept pace...
TRENTON, N.J. – Conversations with close confidants following a sexual assault or employment discrimination should be admissible evidence in civil cases, Assemblywoman Michele Matsikoudis says. On Monday she, along with Sen. Kristin Corrado, introduced a joint resolution (SJR82/AJR163) urging the N.J. Supreme Court to adopt those rule changes. Under...
WESTFIELD, N.J. – Sen. Jon Bramnick and Assemblywomen Nancy Munoz and Michele Matsikioudis, whose district includes parts of Union, Morris and Somerset counties, are happy with increased funding announced Thursday for each school district they represent. “This is an important moment for schools and property taxpayers in our district,”...