I think that it is about time our elected state representatives put aside the Democratic and Republican party lines and work on the most important problem in the state of New Jersey — property tax reform.
It’s time to stop talking about it and start taking action to correct this problem.
Property taxes are in a catastrophic state in every municipality in New Jersey, but even more so in the smaller municipalities. Other states have determined ways to fund education other than through the use of property taxes. What do they know that New Jersey does not? New Jersey politicians need to work for the citizens who elected them and not for the special interest groups.
The state tells the municipalities to "tighten their belts" and "live within their means." Small municipalities like Jamesburg can’t tighten their belts any more. If we cut any more from our budgets, we will be forced to cut essential services. This would be detrimental to our taxpayers.
We’ve asked the state for assistance, for our school taxes in particular, and we get no help. Since when is a 43-cent school tax increase acceptable? How are our taxpayers supposed to pay these enormous increases for the second year in a row?
Since it appears that the state is ignoring the smaller municipalities, maybe it’s time for all small municipalities to create a coalition to lobby Trenton so that we may survive. If we stand together, it will be hard to ignore us.
Well, it’s budget time again. We hear a lot of arguing back and forth among the parties regarding revenues and cuts, but the end result is that there is nothing new toward property tax relief and very little increase in school aid.
Let’s put politics aside and work for property tax relief and education funding now instead of keeping it on the back burner.
Every legislator in New Jersey should be voting yes for the property tax reform legislation because it is the No. 1 priority in every municipality in the state.
Anthony LaMantia
Mayor
Jamesburg