Assembly Majority Leader Louis Greenberg, sponsor of the bill that permits schools districts to avoid budget votes in exchange for moving board elections to November, released this statement:

“Last year we finally did what had been thought to be impossible for so long – take the common sense step to allow school districts to hold their elections alongside partisan elections in an effort to save taxpayer money and hopefully increase voter participation in school board elections.

“As a result, 468 school districts held their elections this week. Not only does this move conserve taxpayers’ dollars, especially in smaller towns, but it also encourages and increases input on important school ballot questions concerning finances.

“Empowering more voters to make decisions on the issues that directly impact their property taxes and quality of life is the right thing to do, and that is why I sponsored this law,” said Greenwald.