VAN DREW: 2 % CAP REPRESENTS REAL PROGRESS IN COMBATING PROPERTY TAX PROBLEM
Says Cap Only Part of the Solution, Looks Forward to Work on ‘Tool Kit’
TRENTON – Senator Jeff Van Drew (D-Cape May/Cumberland/Atlantic), a member of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee, said today’s approval by the full Senate of legislation to cap property tax increases at 2 percent is a significant step forward in the effort to control property taxes.
“The legislation we approved today represents real progress in our effort to combat the property tax problem in New Jersey. By implementing a 2 percent hard cap, we will stem the growth of property taxes and give taxpayers the relief they have been calling for,” said Senator Van Drew. “We recognize that local governments will face tough decisions, but these are tough times. Just as people across the state are cutting their household costs to make ends meet, government must do the same.”
A vocal proponent of the cap, Senator Van Drew traveled to the State House over the holiday weekend so that he could be on hand as Senate President Stephen Sweeney and Governor Christie – who each had a proposal to cap property tax increases – worked on a compromise bill. Senator Van Drew today applauded the Senate’s quick passage of the measure, S-29, saying it demonstrates a real commitment to reform.
“This was an extraordinary step forward in the effort to control property taxes,” said Senator Van Drew, who made the motion on the Senate floor today to advance the compromise bill and signed on as a co-prime sponsor of the legislation. “However, we recognize we are far from the finish line. Local governments cannot live under a cap without the necessary tools. So we will now turn our attention to working on a ‘tool kit’ to release the financial strangle-hold state mandates have on counties and municipalities. Paired with the cap, these reforms will set New Jersey on a clear path to fiscal sanity.”
Senator Van Drew has long advocated for measures to control government costs, sponsoring legislation to: Constitutionally cap the growth of the state budget; constitutionally ban raiding funds for uses other than their intended purposes; constitutionally create a rainy day fund requiring the state to put away money during times of economic prosperity to be used during tough fiscal times; cut in half the size of the state’s vehicle fleet over five years; and to stop excessive printing costs in government by requiring certain information be posted online.
The Senate approved the 2 percent cap by a vote of 36-3. It now heads to the Assembly for consideration.
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