Frank Pallone: “Just to focus a minute on the school construction and modernization proposal, because it is not in the budget agreement…”

“Just to focus a minute on the school construction and modernization proposal, because it is not in the budget agreement now, and I think it should be included as we work down the road, first of all, I think that it should be known, and you already stated, that the issue of school construction modernization is not just for core city areas or rural areas. It runs the whole gamut. My district is primarily suburban. I do not think we have any real rural areas. We have some areas that would qualify as urban areas, but the bottom line is whether you go to the most suburban school and the wealthiest school or the poorest in my district, every day or in most cases they have school construction and renovation needs. It was very interesting because one of the urban areas that I represent is Asbury Park. I had the opportunity a couple of weeks ago to go to a brand-new school which they had a hard time building because of limited resources. Their tax base is very difficult to generate moneys for new construction or renovation with their tax base. It was amazing. The school was maybe a year old, maybe not even, and it was just amazing to see the difference on the kids' faces and the attitude being in a new school.”