Real property tax reform can only be achieved when other forms of income fund school taxes, such as the state sales tax. By raising the sales tax to 7 percent, the extra 1 percent can be used to fund our schools.
We also have revenue from the lottery — state-operated racetracks such as Monmouth Park and the Meadowlands. Also, we were led to believe the casinos generate revenue for help with school taxes. Texas, Michigan and Maryland, for instance, do not fund school taxes through property taxes.
Also, these and possibly other states do not have district superintendents, but county superintendents.
We, the voters, are encouraged to vote for school budgets without understanding where the money goes. Even if the voters do not agree upon the school budget, it is still passed by the Department of Education. This is the wrong way of doing business.
Seniors and others living on a fixed income can’t keep their homes, not when approximately 70 percent of property taxes that the homeowner pays go to the out-of-control school budgets. Another problem is deferred taxes labeled by the municipalities. Taxes are accrued six months before the school needs them. This practice is unheard of and must stop.
Real tax reform can only come if our representatives at the municipal and state levels have the courage and conviction to do what is right and fair.
Cecilia Day
Middletown