FROM THE PRESIDENT Honorable Art Ondish President, New Jersey League of Municipalities Mayor, Mount Arlington

On June 28, the State Senate approved   A-2921 (which was substituted for its companion, S-1900) by a vote of 30-9.

As you know, A-2921/S-1900 would have restored vital property tax relief funding to local budgets. Previously approved by the Assembly, this initiative was vetoed by the Governor.

In State Fiscal Year 2009, combined Energy Tax and CMPTRA funding was reduced by about $26 million. In State Fiscal Year 2010, the net loss equaled about $32 million. In State Fiscal Year 2011, the State used over $271 million of these, supposedly ‘dedicated,’ local property tax relief dollars for other purposes.

On behalf of Mayors all around our Garden State, and on behalf of the citizens they serve, we thank you for support on this bill and for all of your efforts.

We will continue to work with the Legislature to help municipalities get property tax relief.