Assemblyman urges board members to write
acting governor to oppose plans for convention
By:Donna Lukiw
Assemblyman Peter Biondi, R-Hillsborough, made a rare appearance before the Board of Education on Monday, making a bid to get board help in blocking the proposed state constitutional convention on property tax reform.
Speaking for nearly 40 minutes, Mr. Biondi noted the proposed convention wouldn’t be able to make any changes for several years and will only consider the state’s tax structure.
"We don’t have a tax problem is Trenton. We have a spending problem," Assemblyman Biondi said.
Joining Mr. Biondi for the meeting was Ginger Gold, a representative from the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA), who also spoke against the proposed convention.
The convention plan is included in bills which have been introduced in the Legislature to implement the findings of the New Jersey Property Tax Task Force. According to A5269 released from the Assembly Government Committee on March 10, a question would be placed on the Nov. 8 ballot asking voters if they want to convene a constitutional convention. If voters approve this, voters would elect delegates to the convention during the April 2006 school board elections. The convention would run from May to August and any changes the delegates agree on would be put to voters in the November 2006 general election.
But some members of the Legislature have proposed a special legislative session as a means of attempting to provide property tax relief instead, which Mr. Biondi said he supports.
Mr. Biondi said he believes many state legislators are only looking at the tax problems and not at other state financial issues.
"The constitutional convention is only looking at tax reform not at the spending," he said.
Mr. Biondi noted that by having the constitutional convention, income taxes will be raised along with other taxes.
The NJEA, which represents more than 188,000 teachers, is also opposed to the idea of a constitutional convention. Ms. Gold stated, "It will not be until 2006 or 2007 until the constitutional convention takes effect."
Acting Gov. Richard Codey supports convening a constitutional convention, saying it will provide long-term relief to the state’s taxpayers.
At the close of his remarks, Mr. Biondi urged the board members to write acting Gov. Codey in opposition of the convention plans at which point several members could be seen with pens in hand writing down the address.

