Perhaps we should autopsy property tax reform to see what killed it. By real reform I mean more than the stop-gap measure that is in the works. Yes, the special interest groups played a part in the downfall of this last attempt to curve the runaway costs of living in NJ. It was naïve to think that the Governor and legislature could pass a tax reform package that would really give New Jersey an overhaul especially this close to an election year. That legislators could or would police themselves and end practices that drain the state’s revenues, well we got a clue when they balked at changing rules that allow dual office holding, seems just plain wishful thinking. Instead in a slight of hand move unionized workers’ benefits and pension plans became the fall guys. Legislators can continue to hold down two positions in state government and in effect rob state revenues that double benefits without demanding any real work.
Is it any real surprise that the legislature will pass only about half of the 98 special committee’s recommendations? Not really. Blame the special interest groups for trying to prevent their membership from having to bear the brunt of the reform effort, blame the Governor for hearing the pleas of the people and calling a special session of the legislature, blame New Jersey residents for wanting lower taxes in the first place; but, whatever we do, don’t blame the legislators themselves who gave up the fight for real tax reform before the first bill was drafted.
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