>Christie seeks help of mayors and municipal officials in forcing legislative action to reduce property taxes
Gov. Christie asked hundreds of mayors and municipal officials Thursday for help in forcing legislative action on three policy proposals he said would reduce property taxes.
With Democratic leaders sitting on the dais next to his lectern, and with Democratic politicians scattered throughout crowd at the New Jersey State League of Municipalities convention, the Republican governor toned down the rhetoric he has recently employed against them.
But he said the Democrats who control the Legislature won’t move on his money-saving ideas unless local officials cajole them.
“It will not happen without your gentle encouragement,” Christie said. “And so we need your gentle encouragement in the next 60 days and beyond.”
In a flurry of statements issued minutes after Christie’s speech, Democrats returned fire on the issue of property taxes, faulting the governor for cutting state aid to municipalities instead of hiking income taxes on the rich. (Katz, The Philadelphia Inquirer)