Dear Mayor:
Early this month, we pushed our clocks ahead one hour. But there has been no progress for the cause of property tax reform since the Assembly State Government Committee approved A-5269 and ACR-25, back on March 10.
IF YOU BELIEVE IN A CITIZENS’ CONVENTION FOR PROPERTY TAX REFORM, YOU MUST ACT NOW. AND, YOU MUST GET OTHERS INVOLVED.
We need all concerned citizens to get behind this effort. The more people our legislators hear from, the better the chances will be. At our website, you will find information that you can copy and make available to your citizens. Go to http://www.njslom.org/Const_active_supporter.html for the “Do you want to be an active supporter (of property tax reform)?” handout. And, for a short summary of the arguments for a special citizens’ convention for property tax reform, you can print and copy “League Supports Action on Property Tax Reform Convention” at http://www.njslom.org/press_release_01-14-05.html. Both of these, and much more information on the bills, is available on the “Constitutional Convention” section of our website, www.njslom.com.
A-5269 needs to pass with simple majorities in both Houses (41 'yes' votes in the Assembly and 21 in the Senate) and be signed by Governor Codey before the Legislature breaks for Summer Recess (on or about June 30), in order for the people to be able to vote this November on whether or not they want a special convention for property tax reform. ACR-25 is a proposed temporary Constitutional Amendment that would allow the people to enact statutory changes, proposed by the convention. It requires a three-fifths vote in each House (48 votes in the Assembly and 24 in the Senate) to appear on this November's ballot for citizen approval.
Before the Assembly can vote on these measures, they need to be approved by the Appropriations Committee, which is next scheduled to meet on the afternoons of Monday, May 2 and Thursday, May 12. The Assembly could then vote on these initiatives on Monday, May 16. If the Assembly votes to advance A-5269 and ACR-25, they will need to be scheduled for action in one or more of the Senate’s Committees, prior to final action of the Senate Floor. (Last session, similar bills went to the Judiciary Committee, for initial review, and then to the Budget and Appropriations Committee.)
The Judiciary Committee could release the bills as early as Monday, May 23. After that date, their next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, June 9. The Budget and Appropriations Committee is scheduled to meet for regular (non-State Budget) business on Thursday, May 26 and Thursday, June 16. Voting sessions are scheduled in the Senate on Monday, June 20, Thursday, June 23 and Monday, June 27.We obviously need to clear a lot of hurdles between now and June 30. And a stumble on any one will force us to return to the starting line in 2006.STATE LEGISLATORS AND GOVERNOR CODEY NEED TO HEAR FROM ALL WHO SUPPORT A-5269 AND ACR-25 – ELECTED OFFICIAL, APPOINTED OFFICIALS AND CONCERNED CITIZENS NEED TO MAKE THEIR VOICES HEARD.
For further information contact Jon Moran at (609) 695-3481, extension 21.
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Very truly yours,
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Honorable Peter A. Cantu
Mayor, Plainsboro Township
League President |
Honorable Gary Passanante
Mayor, Somerdale Borough
Member League Executive Board
Chairman, League Property Tax Reform Task Force |
Honorable Jo-Anne B. Schubert
Mayor, South Bound Brook
League Immediate Past President
Co-Chair, League Property Tax Reform Task Force
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