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New Jersey State League Of Municipalities
CONVENTION NEEDED FOR TAX REFORM
William G. Dressel, Jr., Executive Director
Time and time and time again, New Jersey governors have called into being a long line of Special Blue Ribbon Property Tax Commissions. Over and over and over again, they have studied New Jersey's regressive over-reliance on the property tax as a source of funding for essential services and programs. Dutifully, they have filed their conclusions and recommendations.
Yet New Jersey remains nationally notorious for its unequaled and inequitable over-reliance on the property tax. Why? Because the Legislature has never enacted any of the core recommendations, carefully crafted and exhaustingly justified by study after study after study.
Last Session, then-Senator Bill Schluter decided to break the logjam that has prevented good ideas for property tax reform in New Jersey from becoming good laws. His novel and non-partisan approach called for a Constitutional Convention. The people of New Jersey would democratically elect the delegates. And, just as the 1966 Convention was limited to one issue (then, legislative reapportionment), so this Convention would be limited to one issue (now, property taxes).
This Session, Senators John Adler and Bob Martin and Assemblymen Joe Roberts and George Geist have become the champions for this effort. Their companion bills, S-478 and A-540, are the vehicles - and maybe the only vehicles - that can carry the promise of property tax reform to fulfillment.
We, ourselves, convened a special group to consider this effort. That body, Chaired by Haddonfield Commissioner Jack Tarditi, has enthusiastically and unanimously endorsed S-478/A-540. Their recommendation was then placed before our entire Legislative Committee, and that body concurred with the special committee, by acclamation.
It couldn't have come at a better time. With so little hope of successfully lobbying for more money for short-term property tax relief, we are freed to devote a higher degree of our decision bending efforts to long term reform.
Please join in our campaign by contacting your own State Legislators. Urge them to support S-478/A-540. For the voters to have their say on calling such a Constitutional Convention this November, both Houses will need to act before Summer recess.
William G. Dressel, Jr.
Executive Director
(609) 695-3481,
extension 22
Permission to display the above granted by the Director.
