Dunn criticizes state budget, says schools shortchanged while pet projects receive funding

TRENTON, N.J. — Assemblywoman Aura Dunn, R-Morris, criticized the state’s $60.75 billion fiscal year 2027 budget during Assembly debate Tuesday, arguing school districts are facing cuts while lawmakers approved hundreds of millions of dollars for legislative projects.

Dunn said school districts in the Highlands region continue to struggle under the state’s school funding formula while funding was allocated for district-specific projects.

“While we’re finding $611 million for legislative pet projects, school districts up in the Highlands are being told there isn’t enough. In West Milford, an elementary school is closing. In Jefferson Township, high school athletics are on the chopping block,” Dunn said. “These are real communities, real kids, real programs being cut because this budget leaves them underfunded by the state’s own formula.”

In May, Dunn introduced bipartisan legislation, A-4860, that would provide additional state aid to school districts in municipalities affected by development restrictions under the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act. The legislation is intended to help communities whose protected lands limit their ability to expand the local property tax base.

“Unfortunately, our school funding system has failed to account for the economic impact of these environmental burdens that limit a town’s ability to expand their tax base in the same way that urban districts are limited by municipal burdens,” she said after introducing the bill.

During Tuesday’s budget debate, Dunn also criticized what she described as last-minute spending additions included in Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s first state budget.

According to Dunn, the budget includes $253 million in legislative add-ons, in addition to $358 million in supplemental fiscal year 2026 spending approved by Democratic lawmakers.

“If we have time to find money for Christmas tree projects, we have time to fix the school funding formula for districts like these,” Dunn said.

Gov. Mikie Sherrill signed the fiscal year 2027 budget into law this week. The $60.75 billion spending plan includes funding for property tax relief, K-12 education, pension payments and transportation, while also drawing criticism from some Republican lawmakers over spending priorities.