By Jeff J. Horn – Divorce Attorney
A Quicktake:
The Jersey Shore, encompassing towns like Toms River, Brick, Spring Lake, and Seaside Park, offers an exceptional quality of life. Families are drawn to affordable homeownership, excellent public schools, and safe neighborhoods. However, as the region grows, challenges arise. Home affordability becomes a pressing issue, with the bar for homeownership continually rising. The state’s school funding formula is broken, causing tensions and uncertainty for suburban districts. Efforts to address school segregation and provide better educational options are underway. Law enforcement faces increasing demands, necessitating resource allocation and competent leadership.
NJ’s Government Structure
New Jersey’s complex governmental structure, with numerous districts, municipalities, and bodies, raises questions about efficiency and the need for consolidation. The state receives a low return on tax dollars from the federal government, prompting concerns about funding for essential services. Former Assembly Speaker Alan Karcher highlighted the need for a sensible organization of government functions to overcome the maze of tiny governmental units. Consolidation efforts in the Princetons and Pine Valley provide models for leaders to follow.
The Shore’s Growth and Challenges
The pristine beaches from Spring Lake to Seaside Park and the suburban life in big towns like Toms River and Brick contribute to the district’s high quality of life. When my family relocated from Hudson County, the reasons were clear. The Jersey Shore presented tremendous advantages to a young family. Homeownership was affordable and considered the norm. Families built communities around excellent public schools, and they demanded clean streets and safe neighborhoods.
This led to spectacular growth at the Jersey Shore, sparked in the middle of the last century and continuing today. The demand for these quality-of-life advantages has remained constant. However, with prosperity come challenges and responsibilities. Now, from young families to our vibrant senior population, questions arise about whether the promise of the Jersey Shore can be sustained.
Home Affordability and School Funding
Home affordability has become a significant challenge. Where homeownership was once a given at the Shore, the bar continues to rise. The policy requiring schoolchildren to attend school where they live has created tensions. Each year, our suburban districts hold their breath as state policies and school funding are announced. Our school funding formula is broken. For 2023, but for the efforts of New Jersey Senate Education Committee Chair Vin Gopal, our larger school districts of Toms River and Brick would face massive layoffs and an inability to properly service the goal of excellence in public schools.
Addressing School Segregation
Former NJ Supreme Court Justice Gary Stein has championed a lawsuit to declare that NJ’s public schools are illegally segregated. Latino Action Network v. State of New Jersey highlights the issue. Failing schools drove many to find better options at the Shore. While the Shore remains a glorious, clean, and safe place to live, the demands on law enforcement are increasing. We need a sensible conversation regarding resource allocation, starting with strong, competent leadership.
Efficiency in Government
New Jersey has over 600 school districts, 564 municipalities, 40 legislative districts, 21 counties, and countless other governmental bodies, boards, authorities, and commissions. Everyone argues about whether it runs well and efficiently. It is unlikely that the leaders of all these governmental fiefdoms are equally capable and competent. Moreover, New Jersey receives only 75 cents on every dollar paid to Washington, one of the lowest returns on tax dollars.
Leaders Needed
Our country’s greatness has been propelled by leaders. Governmental, business, thought, and community leaders. In all realms except for government bureaucracy, leaders emerge based on capabilities and commitment. Thus, a commonsense conversation about consolidating governmental services is essential to improve quality of life. The well for funding layers of bureaucracy will dry up. Without creative leaders, a breakdown in services is imminent.
Moving Past Home Rule
We have a deep tradition of home rule in New Jersey. Former Assembly Speaker Alan Karcher’s book “Multiple Municipal Madness” offers a timeless analysis on moving past the emotional lure of home rule and creating a sensible organization of our governmental functions. Karcher explains how random policies around “dry” and “wet” towns, school districts, and railroad towns chopped our small state into a maze of tiny governmental units.
Consolidation Success Stories
To create order from “chaotic fractals,” we need to consolidate smaller government units—there is no choice. In the past ten years, “the Princetons” consolidated, resulting in significant cost savings. More recently, Pine Valley merged with Pine Hill, requiring courage, cooperation, and common sense. These examples provide models for other government leaders. Who will step up?
The Path Forward
The Shore’s exceptional quality of life and the need for efficient government call for bold and creative leadership. By addressing the challenges of home affordability, school funding, and resource allocation, we can ensure a prosperous future for all residents. Embracing sensible consolidation and leveraging successful examples from within our state, we can build a stronger, more efficient government that truly serves its people.
Conclusion
To maintain and enhance the quality of life at the Jersey Shore, addressing home affordability, school funding, and government efficiency is crucial. By learning from past successes and promoting strong leadership, we can create a prosperous future for all. Collaboration and innovation will ensure that the Jersey Shore remains a desirable place to live and raise families, while also setting an example for other regions to follow.
NJ Among Top States to Live in 2023
Thanks to Horn Law Group, LLC interns Noah Hilsdorf and Dillon Uhrig.