Sen. Rice tells lawmakers they’re ‘being duped’ on higher ed reorganization

TRENTON – An explosive Senate Democrat lashed out at Senate Higher Education Committee members taking up the controversial higher education

TRENTON – An explosive Senate Democrat lashed out at Senate Higher Education Committee members taking up the controversial higher education proposal, saying they’re “being duped” by the merger bill.

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Sen. Ronald Rice (D-28) urged lawmakers to hold the bill, saying it has not been properly discussed among lawmakers and is being pushed through to benefit few.

“It’s an insult for the sponsors of this bill to collaborate with folks who are not elected members of this Legislature,” Rice said. “There are people who are telling us what to do (who) have never been elected to the Legislature.”

Rice said the Legislature is “going to pass something that is bad” and that the whole picture is being distorted by pushing the proposal forward without giving it a thorough review.

“I’m not new to this stuff,” Rice shouted during the committee hearing. “Maybe you are.”

“You’re being duped!” Rice said, slamming his fist on the table.

“I don’t have a problem fighting the Senate president,” he continued. “I’m going to stand up for people in the state.”

Sen. Rice tells lawmakers they’re ‘being duped’ on higher ed reorganization