August, 2005. From the desk of Larry Corsi, New Jersey Coalition for Property Tax Reform
Property Tax Reform
The constitutional convention that promised to reform property taxes by 2007 and to spend over $4 million of our hard earned tax dollars to do so -- is dead. It died because it didn't give the convention delegates the power to control spending at all levels of government. It is clear that only our legislators have the power to reform property taxes and to control spending and that the only way property taxes can be reformed is by a special session of the legislature.
Now is the time for all property owners and tenants to apply pressure on our legislators to have a special session of the legislature and to demand that the SMART (Save Money and Reform Taxes) Bill be posted and passed.
A revised SMART Bill for Property Tax Reform A-4041 was introduced in the Assembly by Assemblymen Louis Manzo (D-31st District) and John McKeon (D-27th District). The Senate version, S-2502 was introduced by Senator Joseph Doria (D-31st District) on May 2, 2005. Unfortunately these Bills are being held up by Assembly Majority Leader Joseph Roberts (D-5th District) and the Senate President and Acting Governor Richard J. Codey.
The SMART bill, reviewed by the Office of Legislative Services and the State Treasurer, is a fair and balanced solution to New Jersey's property tax headache. It cuts the school tax portion of your property tax bill in half. Property tax bills will reflect these cuts so you actually get a property tax cut. A tax cut you can count on. A tax cut you can spend. No more praying that the state budget has a few spare crumbs to throw a taxpayers' way as with the NJ Saver or FAIR rebate programs.
The SMART Bill provides a 50% cut in school taxes that
will benefit 1,800,000 homeowners and almost 1,000,000 tenants. For example,
under the SMART plan, the average homeowner would see a reduction of $1,500 in
their property tax bill. The best part is that these savings do not jeopardize
valuable services in our communities-so the quality of our schools, fire and
police will not be put at risk.
The SMART bill is revenue-neutral and independent of the state's budget. Your
SMART Bill tax cut is paid for by a slight increase in state income taxes. If
you’re taxable income is under $30,000 you pay no increase in state income
taxes. Families with average incomes pay less of a state income tax increase
than the cost of a cup of coffee a day at their local diner. A small portion of
the population, those with high incomes and paying less than average school
property taxes, will generally pay a little more. Check out your savings on
www.reformschooltaxes.com.
It's simple; under the current plan, over 90% of families that pay more than
their fair share to educate our 1.4 million school kids get a tax cut.
Relatively few, those not paying their fair share will have to pay a little
more. The SMART bill makes property taxes fair for us all.
For more than a year, our legislators have been saying we need a Constitutional
Convention because the Legislature can't get the job done. They're abdicating
their responsibility at a time of fiscal crisis not only for the state, but also
for thousands of New Jersey taxpayers that are being taxed out of their homes
and communities. New Jersey residents need reform now, and they need a plan that
creates a fairer system of taxation while preserving our communities.
We have
identified the legislators that are standing in the way of meaningful property
tax reform.
You and all your friends need to write letters to and get on the phone with
Acting Governor Codey, Assembly Majority leader Joe Roberts and Assembly Speaker
Sires and let them know in no uncertain terms that you want the SMART Bill now.
These 3 men are the power brokers and have to power to get the SMART Bill posted
and passed. Unfortunately they also have the power to kill it and make your
property taxes continue to be a living hell.
Get them to call for a special session of the legislature and to endorse the
SMART Bill and you will have SMART Bill property tax reform this year. The ball
is in your court now.
Contact the 3 legislators listed below. Please do it now !!!
1) Acting Governor Richard J. Codey E-mail address www.NJ.gov
Telephone 609-292-6000
Senate President Richard J. Codey
449 Mount Pleasant Ave., West Orange, NJ 07052 973-731-6770
2) Assembly Majority Leader Joseph Roberts
Telephone: 856-742-7600
Brooklawn Shopping Plaza
Rt. 130 South & Browning Rd.
Brooklawn, NJ 08030
3) Assembly Speaker Albio Sires
Telephone: 201-854-0900
303 58th Street, West New York, NJ 07093