On Monday, March 15, League of Municipalities President and South Bound Brook Mayor Jo-Anne B. Schubert addressed the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee on the campus of Middlesex County College in Edison. Then, on Wednesday, March 24, on the campus of Rowan University in Glassboro, she appeared before the Assembly Budget Committee.
Mayor Schubert's remarks were focused on the effects of state budgetary policy on local property taxes. The Governor's proposed 1 percent increase in municipal property tax relief funding will provide "a lifeline" to our taxpayers, said Mayor Schubert. "It is appropriate and it is appreciated. But those taxpayers deserve more."
Mayor Schubert, then, asked the Legislature to consider passing a "Millionaires' Tax," dedicated to increased property tax relief. This temporary income tax rate increase on those most able to afford it could raise more than enough money to address municipal needs.
Our President then asked the committees to use a portion of the proceeds to eliminate the "pension offset," which has lowered Consolidated Municipal Property Tax Relief Act funding in each of the last ten years. That offset, said Mayor Schubert, "... can no longer be justified by pension savings that no longer exist - certainly not in a year when property tapayers will have to finance historic premium increases to state administered pension systems."
Mayor Schubert, also asked the Legislature to restore $8 million in cuts to the Extraordinary Aid program, where it could help municipalities deal with"... successful tax
The Public Hearing portion of the budget process is now behind us. But we intend to continue to have our say. We urge you to do the same.
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appeals, severe winter weather, health insurance premium escalations and increased Homeland Security obligations . . .." She called on the state officials to double the proposed Hero Grants program for municipalities that have deferred spending to keep their tax rate level. "With so many new responsibilities since the September 11 attacks, with the rising costs of meeting our traditional responsibilities, with property tax relief funding for municipal government level for so many years, and with just a 1 percent increase in support from the state this year, any local budget maker who can keep a lid on property taxes deserves to be called - if not a hero, at least a champion."
Finally, our League President asked the Legislature to allow the voters to consider a special convention to propose permanent reforms to our regressive property tax system.
The Public Hearing portion of the budget process is now behind us. But we intend to continue to have our say. We will reiterate our position to the members of the budget writing committees, to the leadership and to any legislator who will listen between now and the budget's passage, sometime in late June
We urge you to do the same. All state policy makers need to hear about the need for property tax relief this year, and the rieed for progress on property tax reform before the summer recess.
NJLM - From 407 West State Street - May 2004
FROM
407 WEST
STATE STREET.....
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On Monday, March 15, League of Municipalities President and South Bound Brook Mayor Jo-Anne B. Schubert addressed the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee on the campus of Middlesex County College in Edison. Then, on Wednesday, March 24, on the campus of Rowan University in Glassboro, she appeared before the Assembly Budget Committee.
Mayor Schubert's remarks were focused on the effects of state budgetary policy on local property taxes. The Governor's proposed 1 percent increase in municipal property tax relief funding will provide "a lifeline" to our taxpayers, said Mayor Schubert. "It is appropriate and it is appreciated. But those taxpayers deserve more."
Mayor Schubert, then, asked the Legislature to consider passing a "Millionaires' Tax," dedicated to increased property tax relief. This temporary income tax rate increase on those most able to afford it could raise more than enough money to address municipal needs.
Our President then asked the committees to use a portion of the proceeds to eliminate the "pension offset," which has lowered Consolidated Municipal Property Tax Relief Act funding in each of the last ten years. That offset, said Mayor Schubert, "... can no longer be justified by pension savings that no longer exist - certainly not in a year when property tapayers will have to finance historic premium increases to state administered pension systems."
Mayor Schubert, also asked the Legislature to restore $8 million in cuts to the Extraordinary Aid program, where it could help municipalities deal with"... successful tax
The Public Hearing portion of the budget process is now behind us. But we intend to continue to have our say. We urge you to do the same.
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appeals, severe winter weather, health insurance premium escalations and increased Homeland Security obligations . . .." She called on the state officials to double the proposed Hero Grants program for municipalities that have deferred spending to keep their tax rate level. "With so many new responsibilities since the September 11 attacks, with the rising costs of meeting our traditional responsibilities, with property tax relief funding for municipal government level for so many years, and with just a 1 percent increase in support from the state this year, any local budget maker who can keep a lid on property taxes deserves to be called - if not a hero, at least a champion."
Finally, our League President asked the Legislature to allow the voters to consider a special convention to propose permanent reforms to our regressive property tax system.
The Public Hearing portion of the budget process is now behind us. But we intend to continue to have our say. We will reiterate our position to the members of the budget writing committees, to the leadership and to any legislator who will listen between now and the budget's passage, sometime in late June
We urge you to do the same. All state policy makers need to hear about the need for property tax relief this year, and the rieed for progress on property tax reform before the summer recess.
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Editorial from New Jersey Municipalities, Volume 81, Number 5, May 2004
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