BODY POLITIC

TRENTON IS NOT SERIOUS ABOUT PROPERTY TAX REFORM

So far, there is no dramatic news out of Trenton regarding property tax reform. Of course, most New Jersey residents aren’t expecting it anyway, but you would never know that a special session of our legislature is currently reviewing that very issue. The real news would be if Trenton was serious about getting the cost of living in our state under control.

The special session is a great public relations gimmick for the Trenton Democrats. As the recently passed budget demonstrates, spending will not be reigned in in the near future, nor are serious reforms on the agenda. True, Governor Corzine has been talking a tough game, and is probably sincere in his efforts to implement change, but the budget deal proves otherwise. As the details trickle out, there were plenty of Christmas packages promised to Democrat districts in the budget.

One of Corzine’s goals is to increase shared costs among municipalities. In theory, that is a great idea, but if he can’t persuade entrenched lawmakers in Trenton to stop double dipping on the pension, how is he going to force local towns into shared services? The very same legislators that padded the budget in July are now chairing committees in August looking for ways to reduce our property taxes. Is that really a recipe for success?

Skeptical New Jersey residents will continue to enjoy their shore vacation in August, while barely paying attention to the bluster in Trenton. Odds are that the most significant development to come out of the special session will be a recommendation for a constitutional convention on property taxes, to be placed on the November 2007 ballot. It will be perfect timing for the legislators considering that they will also be on the ballot seeking re-election.

The charade regarding property tax reform will continue for the next few days in Trenton, and surely the Governor and his party will claim major strides in the fight against spiraling taxes. But until legislators take their own spending seriously and look in the mirror for change, hopes for property tax relief is only bluster being peddled by Trenton onto a frustrated taxpayer.