Earlier today, the Property Tax Convention Task Force fulfilled its statutory obligation and has issued its recommendations to the State Legislature and to the Governor. It is our understanding that Assembly Majority Leader Joseph Roberts will introduce legislation on January 10, to implement the recommendations of the Task Force.

Today’s recommendations represent the most significant step forward for property tax relief in over 30 years. The fight, however, for significant tax relief is far from over. It has just begun.

The recommendations outline the Task Force’s proposal for a Constitutional Convention to address New Jersey’s chronic over-reliance on the property tax. Both Houses of the Legislature must consider the bill within 60 days. Unless the Legislature derails this movement toward reform, the people will be asked to approve a convention on Election Day, 2005. Either on that day, or thereafter, the people will elect delegates to represent them at the convention. The convention will meet in the spring and early summer of 2006. It will issue a proposal for property tax reform, which will go to the people, for ratification on Election Day, 2006.

The League issued a press statement today applauding the Task Force members for their hard-work and diligence. In particular, we noted appreciation to those who represented the interest of local governments, including League Past President and South Bound Brook Mayor Jo-Anne Schubert, Gary Passanante, the Mayor of Somerdale and chair of the League's Municipalities Property Tax Reform Committee, and Terry Malloy, the business administrator and chief financial officer for Bayonne.” Now, we must work even harder to assure that their efforts do not collect dust on a library shelf, but continue the process of property tax relief.

The Task Force’s report will be available online shortly at http://www.nj.gov/convention/. As noted above, we expect legislation to be introduced on January 10. The League’s Property Tax Reform Committee will work with legislative leaders to turn the ideas of today into the property tax relief of tomorrow.

We will continue to keep up-to-date on our progress.