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Thank you for taking the time to examine the Public Forum on New Jersey Property Tax. It is generally accepted that New Jersey's Property Tax system needs to be updated to restore equity. NJ Governor's Property Tax Commissions have reported the degree of public policy change requires substantial statewide dialog to build acceptance at the agrass roots level.
The PFoPT Committee welcomes your interest and participation in planning and preparation for the public forum to engage the public on these issues. The PFoPT serves as a catalyst and planner to promote forums and debates. The PFoPT Committee was formed in West Windsor, New Jersey by members of the Township's Senior Center Retirees Group. The initial focus is on events in West Windsor, Plainsboro Townships, and the regional WW&P School District, and to include issues in both Mercer and Middlesex Counties.
The PFoPT is a process which is envisioned to span over a period of two years, with activity across the State, culminating in a sufficient clarity of objectives to support proposals to the State Legislature calling for an New Jersey State Constitution Convention or to submitted to the delegates of a Constitutional Convention.
This site servers as a Community link to information on local events and raise awareness of the PFoPT activities.
Report of the President’s Advisory Panel on Federal Tax Reform November 2005
On Nov. 1, 2005, Connie Mack, a former Republican Senator from Florida and Chairman of the President’s Advisory Panel on Federal Tax Reform, submitted the panel report to the Treasury Secretary John W. Snow. The Secretary indicated that the IRS experts would examine and refine the recommendations as soon as possible. The panel unanimously approved the report, which was designed to to simplify the U.S. tax system in a way that would also promote "long-term economic growth and job creation." NJ State officials will consider the prospect of a revised Federal Income Tax Code as they consider tax restructuring in New Jersey. One recommendation of the panel is to end the tax deductions for State and Local Taxes. Chairman Mack stressed that the proposals must be reviewed and considered in total, rather than consider the impact of single provisions of the plan. Click Here for a Link to Download The Full Report in PDF Format
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On Oct. 24, 2005, West Windsor's Senior Center was the site selected by the forum sponsors the WW Retirees Group and the Village Grande Civic Association. The partiicpating candidates were Assemblyman Bill Baroni (R), Candidate Daniel Benson (D), Assemblywoman Linda Greenstein (D), and Candidate Michael Paquette (R). Comcast made a video tape of the proceedings. The event was open to the public, and questions to the candidates were submitted by the audience. Candidates offered various mechanisms to address the Property Tax. The event lasted approximately 90 Minutes. Opportunity To View Tape of the Oct. 24, 2005 NJ District 14 Candidates Forum
.Last summer, West Windsor's Mayor ShingFu Hsueh appointed a Property Tax Task Force. In March 2003, the Task Force issued their first report that provides a summary of the property tax process and WW Township related data for the 2002 tax year. The report was mailed to all residents, and is available here for you to read, see WW Property Tax Task Force Report
.In "The Times" article of Dec. 11, 2003, staff writer Michael Jennings reported on a meeting on Dec. 9, 2003 of NJ 24 Mayors and the Governor in Plainsboro. Jennings reports "McGreevey said the emphasis will be on reducing the cost of local bureacracy rather than on reducing the number of those bureacracies." Jennings reported , "Last month, McGreevey promised to alleviate the property tax burden significantly within two years in a speech widely interpreted as foreshadowing a move to merge many of the state's 566 municipalities and 611 school districts."
NJ's local services structure drives costs! An evaluation New Jersey's Home Rule Is Provided Later on this Site!
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On June 15th, PFoPT sponsored a forum of three panelists of New Jersey legislative leaders.
Senator John J. Adler,Dist. 6 Sponsor of S478, Assemblywoman Linda Greenstein, Dist 14 Sponsor
of A540, and Former Senator William Schluter addressed the audience at
the Sarnoff Corporation auditorium. Forum moderator was Mr. Jon Shure, President of New Jersey
Policy Perspective and the topic: "Why Does New Jersey Need a Constitutional
Convention on Property Tax".
Senator Adler reported the general view, property tax reform
is needed. He said, in his assessment, the legislative history indicates that a Constitution
Convention is the most likely method. In spite of last week's setback in the Senate Judiciary Committee,
Senator Adler indicated he will continue to work with the committee to report the bill S478 to
the full Senate. Senator Adler acknowledged additional drafting on the details of the Bill is required. Assemblywoman Greenstein is anticipating an aggressive effort to move A540 in the Assembly.
Durning her campaign, she indicated the voters stressed a uniform desire to for property
tax reform. The public active involvement in processes like the PFoPT can be a strong
inducement for the legislature to take notice and act. She stressed it is necessary to maintain bi-partisan support both bodies. Former Senator Schluter testified before the committee this week, and for the audience, discussed Ten Myths
that have been mentioned by opponents of a Constitutional Convention on Property Tax. He
the support is substantial and bipartisan and to be realistic, so is the current opposition. To read
Senator Schluters remarks, see Ten Myths Used by Opponents of the Property Tax Convention.
Resident turnout was light, but the attendees included several local leaders, and representation from Hamilton, Montgomery, Washington, and West Windsor Townships. The questions and discussion lasted about 45 minutes, with considerable interest on methods to expand awareness and participation. The PFoPT wishes to thank the panelists, our moderator, all of the attendees and the media representatives for their participation.
You can view the full testimony at the NJEA site via this link NJEA Testimony Before Senate subcommittee.
The NJEA offers an informed and reasoned set of recommendations to reform the Property Tax system, while providing caution to limit the breadth of delegate authority in changing fundamental aspects of the current obligations of the state's role in providing a "thorough and efficient education".
Sandra Matsen, President and Judith Cambria, Fiscal Policy Director appeared before the committee. You can view the full testimony at the LWV site via this link LWV Testimony Before Senate subcommittee.
Extracted from these remarks, "A property tax convention will allow substantive debate unencumbered by partisan positions. Such a democratic discussion can only benefit us as citizens and taxpayers. A constitutional convention is an appropriate method for assuring serious consideration over a significant period of time of well-researched information on possible solutions as well as building consensus and support for reform."
Dr. Henry A. Coleman, Director of Rutgers Center for Governmental Services, and a renown expert in New Jersey public policy on property tax issued a report titled "Fiscal Stress: It's Not Just a Big City Problem". The "Trenton Times" editorial page of July 12 commended this report, which was published by New Jersey Policy Perspective. You can view the full report at the NJPP site via this link "Fiscal Stress:It's Not Just a Big City Problem".
This report provides a current assessment of the breadth of issues that must be addressed and provides an array of possible approaches to reform our system.
For a list of all three speakers, and links to their organizations web sites, and highlights these forums, see PFoPT Summer Series 2002 Forums.
The information offered by PFoPT provides the nature of the relationship of the tax system elements and their impact to residents. Before acting based upon this data, the user is cautioned to validate the information and assumptions from an independent source.
The information offered by PFoPT provides the nature of the relationship of the tax system elements and their impact to residents. Before acting based upon this data, the user is cautioned to validate the information and assumptions from an independent source.
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Sponsor's of legislation in both bodies are proposing action to place on the November General Election Ballot for the voters to decide on a New Jersey Constitutional Convention.
The legislation provides for the election of delegates to the convention and other measuresIf you are interested in reading the proposed legislation, go to: Assembly Bill A540, Senator Adler's Senate Bill S478, or Senator Inverso's Senate Bill S1145 which proposes later timing for the key events and other provisions.On May 6th, the West Windsor Township Council adopted a Resolution 2002-R106 in support of S478 and A540. To read this resolution, seeWW Township Resolution 2002-R106. On May 8th, the Plainsboro Township Council adopted a resolution in support of S478 and A540. To read this resolution, seePlainsboro Township Resolution May 8, 2002.
The New Jersey League of Municipalities supports the Constitutional Convention. Read an excerpt from the NJ LoM web siteExecutive Director William Dressels comments. Inaddition, read the New Jersey State League of Municipalities positions on: Achieving Economic Success Through Property Tax Relief, Defending Home Rule, and Smart Growth.
Organizations that routinely evaluate public policy issues are in favor or action to reform what they believe is New Jersey's broken property tax system. For example, see the March 26, 2002 Edition of NJFuture Facts.
Commission's Assignment: "Recommend ways to help county, school, and
municipal officials ease the heavy burden of property taxes on New Jersey residents."
Commissions Report:
Property Tax Commission Final Report of Recommendations
To Governor Christine Todd Whitman
Chairwoman Mayor Barbara Cannon, Sept. 1998
One essential element, public dialog, is stressed by the Commission chairwoman, Barbara L. Cannon, Mayor Of Old Bridge, NJ. She stated in her closing comments in her forwarding letter to Governor Whitman:
"I and all the Commission members hope that our work provides some measure of property tax relief. As I maintained throughout my tenure as the Commission’s chairwoman and reiterated upon the release of the Commission’s discussion papers (included as appendices in this report), we also hope to inspire an informed public conversation about the complicated issues and tradeoffs surrounding New Jersey’s property tax structure."In 1999, New Jersey had 17 forms of Taxes, with the majority revenue collected from Income, Sales, and Property Taxes.
The chart below extends a tax restructuring evaluation presented in the 1998 Commission Report. It is based upon 1998 data and illustrates five cases of Property Tax reduction as a percentage from the baseline. The Property Tax reduction shifts to Sales and Income taxes. In these cases, 75 % of the reduction in Property Tax is shifted to Income Tax, and 25 % of the reduction in Property Tax is shifted to Sales Tax.
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From the 1998 Commission Report Chapter II Local Government Shared Services and Consolidation:
"New Jersey has too much local government, and too much of it is small. There are 566 municipalities, 611 school districts, over 400 local authorities and fire districts, and 21 counties. A third of our municipalities have 5,000 or fewer residents. Twenty percent have 2,500 people or fewer. We have four communities with fewer than 100 people. For school districts there are similar numbers: two-thirds of the districts are classified as "small," 64 districts have fewer than 400 students, and 24 districts do not even operate schools, but still support a board of education."
Public forums are needed to discuss the alternatives. The following is quoted from Governor’s Property Tax Commission report page 97 Appendix "Michigan’s Proposal-"A Discussion Paper":
"New Jersey not only spends more money per pupil than Michigan, but also more than any other state in the nation and more than any nation in the world. It is, therefore, plausible that New Jersey has an education expenditure problem rather than simply an over-reliance on the property tax."
Over the last seven years, New Jersey and the nation have watched to see how Michigan has progressed since its adoption of a major restructuring measure known as Plan A. It revised public education funding by revamping the historical property taxes.
To review the Michigan History of Property Tax Revenues, Voters Choice at the Polls, and Major Tax Revenues since 1994, see Michigan Plan SummaryLastly, the 1998 Governor Whitman's Commission Report contained in Appendix D -- "Discussion Paper on Michigan Plan A" -- consists of a few pages and is followed by this introduction to a description of Plan A .. "summary of the elements of Proposal A was prepared by the Citizens Research Council of Michigan and given to the Property Tax Commission. CRCM is an independent policy research organization based in a Detroit suburb." This material is also available here for your evaluation "Michigan Plan A Discussion and Summary" from 1998 Property Commission Report Appendix D.
Commission's Objectives:
"1) ensuring that local resources are sufficient to finance local government expenditure responsibilities,
2) achieving a better balance between state and local taxes and a more equitable distribution of tax burdens,
3) improving the quality of education services,
4) sorting out the proper roles and responsibilities between the state and localities, and
5) enhancing the economic competitiveness of the state."
Commissions Report:
SLERP Commission Final Report of Recommendations
To Honorable Thomas H. Kean, Governor
Chairman Bruce G. Coe July 1988
Commission chairman, Bruce G. Coe, President of New Jersey Business and Industry Association, stated in his forwarding letter to Governor Kean:
"The Commission focused on the two major fiscal problems that confront New Jersey.
First, the state's fiscal system relies too heavily on local government to provide services.
Second, the burdens of the state's tax system are not fairly distributed based on the ability to pay."
"Since it was not the Commission's intention to increase the overall size of New Jerseys public sector, our program of reforms is revenue neutral."
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State wide public forums will be needed. Broad participation of many interest groups is needed to discuss the recommendations. Most businesses, home owners, even those renting indirectly pay Property Taxes. Business Associations, Home Owners Associations, Senior Groups, Municipal Governments and School Boards, State Assembly and Senate representatives participation will be sought. Residents from all regions, ages, occupations, and special interests are needed. New Jersey universities will be asked to promote dialog and assist in studies. The New Jersey League of Women voters has been asked to moderate proceedings. New Jersey Public Broadcasting will be asked to support these forums.
Who is the Controlling Legal Authority?
The Citizens Of New Jersey!
Big Time!
State Assembly serves a population of 8.14 million residents per the 2000 US Census, in 40 legislative districts, living in 21 Counties. In 1999-2000, New Jersey school districts and tax payers supported 1,310,043 students.
For Education performance and budget data with distribution of sources of aid for various years, visit:
NJ Dept Education Data CentralIt is up to us to evaluate our Home Rule system, safeguard its virtues, and be brave enough to seek to improve efficiency throughout the system, and consolidate services were appropriate. PFoPT propose to have local expert and community workshops to make assessment on possible improvements. See Home Rule Evaluation
With the numerous individual situations of tax payers, one has to evaluate the impact of any proposed changes in Tax Redistribution. Several different concepts for Propert Tax Restructuring have been evolved and proposed by varying degrees across the various states. See Property Tax Restructuring
The question of what property is taxed, and by how much has always been a matter of record. Today, those records are available for the public to view and evaluate. The table below illustrates a summary of the available data for West Windsor properties. The summary was generated on a spreadsheet from a down load of this data from the site URL: http://www.taxrecords.com which provided data as of August 15, 2001. (The Class of Property was not available for all properties.)
Table Summary of West Windsor Township Property Tax AssessmentGiven data availability and the computational power of today's computers, the public's supporting agencies can more readily evaluate more completely tax policy restructuring without expending huge amounts of valuable resources. This is good news, since reform proposals must be evaluated!
If you are interested, you can view or download the Property Tax Assessment data for properties across the state for free. Word of caution! If in doubt, it is a good idea to verify any data with the local tax assessor, before taking specific action based upon this site. If you are looking to get a handle on the overall spectrum of issues, then visit: Free Tax Records Property Tax Assessment Site
PFoPT seeks to leveraging local resources to secure to public policy groups at our institutions of higher learning throughout the State. New Jersey citizens desire expert opinion expressed in the planning phase, at forums, and in local debates. To survey the numerous interest groups, structured workshop surveys need to be conducted to gain and summarize the incite of all of the thought members in our community. This survey among the citizens that access the services on a daily basis, and the public entities that work hard to deliver these services under current constraints.
The organizing the quantity of these activities and reporting their results needs a structured process gained over years of experience, and updated to reflect the efficiency of the modern tools information processing and dissemination. The internet web can provide the efficient basis to conduct polls, and report results for access by media and interested groups Statewide.
The PFoPT needs access to and the support of our Outstanding Public Policy Agencies
Initially, the activities will be promoted in West Windsor, New Jersey. As the process matures and is discussed with community and state leaders, the plan is to expand the grass roots effort throughout the State.
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On the PFoPT Primary Information Web Site we provide easy links to NJ Constitution, Governor's Commission Reports, and PFoPT summaries of data extracts from New Jersey Department sites which illustrate New Jersey's property tax baseline or status quo. This site provides a substantial reference for evaluating our Property Tax proposition.
This WW-P local site mirrors some of the material from the PFoPT Primary Information Web Site. Over time, this site will be used to post future events. Please also visit The PFoPT Primary Information Web Site.
Let us know what you believe is the best course for New Jersey. We'd appreciate your suggestions for promoting public dialog on the issues at the heart of these matters. We hope the PFoPT web site has been helpful in evaluating these issues.
Plan to attend the forums and debates to be held in your local area. Annoucements will be released to the newspaper for community affairs publication, and posted on community calendars and web sites. The first forum is slated to begin not later than September, 2002.
Again, before acting based upon data from this site, please validate the information and assumptions from an independent source. This site will be updated as better understanding of the issues and/or more data is available. We welcome any corrections or a superior source of more correct information. Thank you for your time to consider these important issues.
To contact the group write to:
The opinions expressed within this web site are those of the Public Forum On New Jersey Property Tax Committee and not those of Internet Provider or any government entity.
George K. Martch
Attn: PFoPT
30 Wood Hollow Road
West Windsor, NJ 08550This site was launched March 10, 2002 and was last updated 8:45 AM 11/4/2005
Please send comments about this site or suggestions for A Public Forum on New Jersey Property Taxes by e-mail to: George Martch
Copyright © All rights are reserved.
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