Hudson County Commissioner Bill O’Dea, a Democrat representing District 2 and a candidate for mayor of Jersey City, issued a public statement thanking state lawmakers for stopping a $4 million funding cut to the Jersey City Board of Education. The reduction had been originally included in the state budget proposal.
In his statement, O’Dea referred to the proposed $4 million cut as an outrageous insult to our community. He said he is thankful to the state legislative delegation for reversing the proposed reduction in state funding to Jersey City public schools. O’Dea added that, although this specific funding cut was reversed, restoring the total $250 million in state aid cuts previously made to Jersey City schools is just beginning.
- Bill O’Dea thanked state lawmakers for stopping a proposed $4 million cut to Jersey City public schools.
- He credited Senator Raj Mukherji for exposing political motives behind the school funding formula and pledged to restore the full $250 million lost over the years.
- O’Dea strongly opposes the push for an appointed school board and has launched a petition to protect voter control over Jersey City’s education system.
Mukherji Credited in Reversal; S-2 Critique Cited
O’Dea credited New Jersey State Senator Raj Mukherji, a Democrat representing the 32nd Legislative District, for working with other Hudson County legislators to reverse the proposed $4 million reduction to the Jersey City Board of Education. O’Dea also referenced Mukherji’s earlier remarks regarding the S-2 school funding formula.
O’Dea agreed with Senator Mukherji that Jersey City was being treated unfairly by the new school funding plan for political reasons. He mentioned that if he becomes mayor, his main goal will be to bring back state education funding for Jersey City. He said that he won’t accept any excuses and that the students, teachers, parents, and taxpayers of Jersey City deserve better.
According to the source, O’Dea was among the first local leaders to sound the alarm when Governor Phil Murphy included the $4 million cut in his February budget proposal. In May, he called on Hudson County’s state legislators to withhold their votes on the state budget until the $4 million cut to Jersey City’s education funding was reversed.
O’Dea Opposes Appointed Board, Starts Petition
While celebrating the funding win, O’Dea also announced his opposition to a proposed plan to change Jersey City’s elected school board to an appointed one. The plan was announced in July by State Senator Raj Mukherji.
O’Dea criticized the proposal to switch to an appointed school board, arguing that it would take away the voting rights of Jersey City residents. He further called the plan an unfair and undemocratic action against the community.
He stated that he would stop the plan if elected mayor, and that Jersey City residents deserve the right to choose their own elected leaders. O’Dea said, “We will not sit back and let our community be disenfranchised,” and added that he and his supporters will do everything in their power to fight back and protect Jersey City’s fundamental right to remain a democracy.
O’Dea co-authored an op-ed with Council at-Large candidate Kristen Zadroga-Hart criticizing the proposed legislation. The op-ed describes the plan as an attempt by the political machine to silence residents and consolidate power in Jersey City.
O’Dea is leading a petition campaign to organize public opposition to the appointed school board plan. The petition gives residents the opportunity to express their views and is accessible online at: https://www.mobilize.us/billodeajc/event/816224/
O’Dea stated that he is working with community members and stakeholders to create a united front in opposition to the plan. According to the source, additional steps will be announced.
