Burzichelli continues criticism of NJSIAA

SOUTH PLAINFIELD, N.J. – The ceasefire was short.

New Jersey assemblyman John Burzichelli (D., Gloucester) on Thursday resumed his assault on the NJSIAA with a pointed letter to executive director Steve Timko criticizing the organization's resolution asking member schools to increase ticket prices to regular-season events.

Burzichelli also sent a letter to Commission of Education Bret Schundler asking him to notify New Jersey public schools to disregard the NJSIAA's request to raise ticket prices.

"Charging hard-working New Jersey families more money cannot be a means to pay your salaries and generous benefits," Burzichelli wrote to Timko.

Burzichelli is the sponsor of a law that took effect Jan. 29 that prohibits the NJSIAA from raising ticket prices for tournament events, with some exceptions.

According to Timko, the law has created a "crisis" for the NJSIAA. The organization on Thursday announced that its 2010-11 budget would include $530,000 in cuts, although the NJSIAA still is looking at a shortfall of more than $600,000, according to Timko.

Burzichelli on Thursday called the NJSIAA's cost-cutting measures "a step in the right direction," but reacted negatively to the organization's resolution.

Contacted at the state Meet of Champions track meet on Thursday, Timko declined to comment.