Budget & Taxes

This bill allocates $3 million annually from cannabis tax revenue (Social Equity Excise Fee) to fund Freedom Schools in New Jersey. The funds are directed to the Department of State for direct support of these schools, subject to budget approval. It specifically affects Freedom Schools - public or community-based educational programs - by providing dedicated state funding through an existing tax revenue stream, without altering eligibility or program requirements. The measure takes immediate effect upon enactment.

This bill allows New Jersey taxpayers to voluntarily contribute a portion of their state income tax refund or make an additional payment when filing their tax return to support public humanities programming. The contributions would go into a new "New Jersey Council for the Humanities Fund" established within the Department of the Treasury. The state would deduct administrative costs from collected contributions before depositing the net amount into the fund. The Legislature would annually appropriate these funds to the New Jersey Council for the Humanities to provide grants for humanities programs across the state.