Chris Christie ran for governor on the promise that he would cut property taxes. Instead, the average New Jersey taxpayer will be paying more out of pocket for local government and schools.
From The Asbury Park Press:
The average property tax hike in New Jersey will be 3.3 percent this year — and will hit 23.5 percent after the loss of the homestead rebate is factored in, a statewide review of new tax rates show.
Property taxes increased 3.7 percent in 2009, only nominally more than what has happened so far this year. But, as the story points out, taxpayers had rebates to help them deal with the pain. No such luck this year, though the governor says he will offer a revamped rebate program for next year — a manuever that promises to be difficult.
The rebate program was a victim of this year’s budget balancing act, so his promise raises the question of how he’ll pay for the rebates in the 2011 budget. What programs can we expect to be slashed? Colleges and public schools already are paying the price and the public workforce has been gutted, with the expected increase in unemployment. So, dear governor, what is your plan?
- Send me an e-mail.
- Read poetry at The Subterranean.
- Certainties and Uncertainties a chapbook by Hank Kalet, will be published in November by Finishing Line Press. it can be ordered here.
- Suburban Pastoral, a chapbook by Hank Kalet, available here.
Hank Kalet 