Posted on February 29, 2024
On February 27, Governor Murphy delivered the annual state budget address to the State Legislature, presenting his proposed spending plan for the Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) Budget.
The Governor’s budget outlines his key initiatives which include “lowering costs for our families, increasing opportunities in every community, and investing in the lifelong success of every child,” to “ensure New Jersey retains its proud reputation as the best place, anywhere, to raise a family.”
Read the State of NJ Budget in Brief
The $55.9 billion proposed budget includes measures to fully fund the state pension system, fund property tax relief programs, and invest in NJ Transit. The FY25 Budget also consists of essential investments to support children and families.
Highlights of these investments include:
Child Care and Child Tax Credit
- $3.6 million in wage increases for child care providers
- $15 million in federal funds to NJ Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) for child care facilities improvements
- Subsidy payments based on enrollment through December 31, 2024
- Direct relief to families, including continuation of the Child Tax Credit and the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit
Preschool Aid
- $124 million to fully fund pre-K programs that started in FY24, including $20 million to expand pre-K programs to new districts
Education
- $908 million to fully fund school aid formula
- Continued funding for the Student Teacher Stipend Program
- $1 million for the High Poverty School District Minority Teacher Recruitment Program
- Increase funding for Teacher Loan Redemption Program
Hunger and Food Insecurity
- $30 million to expand access to free school meals, to cover children in families making under 225% of the federal poverty level
- $2.8 million in State funding for the Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) Program, to provide meals to children who cannot get school meals during the summer
- Continued funding support for food banks and emergency feeding organizations
- Continued minimum Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits
- Support funding to cover grocery delivery fees for WIC participants
Maternal and Child Health
- Continued investment in the Statewide Universal Newborn Home Nurse Visitation Program, including $4 million increase to expand Family Connects NJ to six more counties
- $2.2 million for the Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Authority
- Expand the Cover All Kids Program for an additional 41,000 children
Youth Mental Health
- $43 million for the NJ Statewide Student Support Services Network (NJ4S)
- $7.3 million for DCF’s Children’s System of Care which provides care management and connections to mental health services for youth under 21 years of age
Following the budget address, the Legislature will begin the process of reviewing and refining the proposed budget to adopt the final FY25 Budget which must be signed into law by June 30th.
ACNJ will continue to provide updates on the budget and legislative proceedings to ensure that children and families have a voice in this process.
