Former legislator to discuss tax-related issues Sept. 19

Sen. Bill Schluter will speak at Hopewell Township Municipal Building

   Will property tax reform in New Jersey spell tax relief for Hopewell Valley?
   On Sept. 19, former state Sen. Bill Schluter will discuss the prospects for property tax reform in the state and how this could impact HoVal’s real estate taxes.
   The program, free and open to the public, begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Hopewell Township Municipal Building, corner of Scotch and Pennington-Washington Crossing roads in Hopewell Township.
   The League of Women Voters of Hopewell Valley is program sponsor.
   A member of the NJ General Assembly and Senate for over two decades, Sen. Schluter will address the chances of seeing real property tax reform in the state, where it has to come from, and how it has to start.
   "He’ll burst some bubbles by discussing myths and misconceptions of tax reform, then talk about the impact it will have on different income levels," said a spokeswoman.
   And how about consolidation of the township and two boroughs – will that affect local taxes? The senator, a Pennington resident who co-chairs Citizens for the Public Good, will touch on that, as well as the ratables chase, caused by high property taxes. He will talk about how it distorts land use and planning decisions.
   Finally, he’ll update residents on the proposed constitutional convention, so property owners will learn about its potential impact on their pocketbooks.