On Tuesday, February 24, the Governor presented his proposed FY 2005 budget to a joint session of the state Legislature. His remarks repeatedly returned to the theme of tax fairness. Two passages from his speech need to be noted.

"We heard the dire predictions about the consequences that would befall our state if we restored fairness to the (tax) system."

With this, the Governor noted how the closing of corporate tax loop-holes and the increased casino taxes had been opposed. And maybe, as the Governor claims, those actions have made "our tax system fairer." If so, however, that fairness is felt only up in the economic penthouses of New Jersey. Those less well-off still suffer from property tax increases. And they still wait for substantive reform of a system nationally notorious for its over-reliance on that regressive assessment.

If the Governor means what

he says, his leadership could

be enough to convince the

Legislature to give the power

of tax reform back to the

and procedural checks against anything but meaningful and consistent property tax reform — in short, against anything but tax fairness for those who need and deserve it most.

Near the end of his speech, the Governor gave us reason to hope for real action on real reform this year.

"But I do not want to leave anyone with the impression that this budget is the end of the discussion (on property taxes). It is only the beginning and I will be back. I refuse to allow another year to go by without asking this legislature to do more.... The fight for tax fairness goes on ...."

If the Governor means what he says, his leadership could be enough to convince the Legislature to give the power of tax reform back to the people who pay the taxes. And maybe both houses will pass A-1786/S-263 in time to get the question on this November's ballot.

"Give the power of tax reform back to the people who pay the taxes?" What could be fairer than that?

 

FROM 407 WEST STATE STREET.....   Will Tax Fairness Flourish in Trenton? William G. Dressel, Jr. Executive Director New Jersey League of Municipalities On Tuesday, February 24, the Governor presented his proposed FY 2005 budget to a joint session of the state Legislature. His remarks repeatedly returned to the theme of tax fairness. Two passages from his speech need to be noted. "We heard the dire predictions about the consequences that would befall our state if we restored fairness to the (tax) system." With this, the Governor noted how the closing of corporate tax loop-holes and the increased casino taxes had been opposed. And maybe, as the Governor claims, those actions have made "our tax system fairer." If so, however, that fairness is felt only up in the economic penthouses of New Jersey. Those less well-off still suffer from property tax increases. And they still wait for substantive reform of a system nationally notorious for its over-reliance on that regressive assessment. Likewise, we have heard dire predictions about the possible consequences of a special property tax convention. But a careful review of the bills that would advance such a convention (A-1786/S-263) reveals layer after layer of substantive safe-guards If the Governor means what he says, his leadership could be enough to convince the Legislature to give the power of tax reform back to the          people who pay the taxes.   and procedural checks against anything but meaningful and consistent property tax reform — in short, against anything but tax fairness for those who need and deserve it most. Near the end of his speech, the Governor gave us reason to hope for real action on real reform this year. "But I do not want to leave anyone with the impression that this budget is the end of the discussion (on property taxes). It is only the beginning and I will be back. I refuse to allow another year to go by without asking this legislature to do more.... The fight for tax fairness goes on ...." If the Governor means what he says, his leadership could be enough to convince the Legislature to give the power of tax reform back to the people who pay the taxes. And maybe both houses will pass A-1786/S-263 in time to get the question on this November's ballot. "Give the power of tax reform back to the people who pay the taxes?" What could be fairer than that?     Editorial from New Jersey Municipalities, Volume 81, Number 4, April 2004