Prolonged Fight over Rebates in 2006 Caused Costly Government Shutdown
Senate Republican Budget Officer Anthony Bucco issued the following remarks regarding published statements made by the Chairman of the Assembly Budget Committee concerning the property tax rebate program:
“I agree with Chairman Greenwald that the property tax rebate program must be preserved to ease the burden on our hard working and over-taxed families.
“Governor Corzine promised the taxpayers of New Jersey cuts to their property taxes by 40 percent during his campaign for governor in 2005. The promised cuts in property taxes did not materialize, and less than a year later, he raised the sales tax by 16 percent.
“Speaker Roberts and Chairman Greenwald rightly believed that any additional funds raised by the sales tax should be dedicated to property tax relief. Unfortunately, Governor Corzine and key members of his Administration did not share in that view.”
“Governor Corzine’s reluctance to follow through on his campaign promises concerning property tax rebates resulted in a shutdown of state government in the summer of 2006. This unprecedented shutdown cost businesses and working families vital income.
“Following this shameful episode, New Jersey’s property taxpayers overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment dedicating one half of the increase in the sales tax to property tax reform. These monies should be used as the voters of this state intended, to provide direct relief from skyrocketing property taxes caused by the Corzine Administration’s mismanagement of state finances.
“The Governor must make public his proposals for the future of the property tax rebate program as soon as possible. We just can’t afford another costly government shutdown. More importantly, middle-class families must know the status of this vital program, as far in advance as possible, in order to adjust their budgets accordingly.”
Link to Post:
http://www.senatenj.com/index.php/bucco/bucco-corzine-must-release-plan-on-property-tax-rebates/2404
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March 26, 2009
