Assemblyman DePhillips Demands Governor-elect Sherrill Rejects 7% Sales Tax Increase Rumors
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Trenton NJ, New Jersey affordability is back in the spotlight, this time with explosive rumors suggesting that Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill and her team are considering a rapid sales tax hike. Assemblyman Christopher DePhillips (R-40) is not waiting for confirmation, issuing a forceful public demand for Sherrill to address and publicly reject the reports of a proposed sales tax increase to 7%.
The Republican lawmaker is calling for an on-the-record commitment from the incoming administration to prioritize affordability and denounce any tax hikes being pushed by Trenton Democrats during the “lame duck” session.
The Heart of the Controversy: Affordability vs. Spending
Assemblyman DePhillips, who serves as the Assembly Republican Conference Leader, argues that the current rumors directly contradict Sherrill’s campaign promises on making New Jersey more affordable.
“Sherrill and legislative Democrats campaigned on affordability, but have flipped the script now that the election is over,” DePhillips stated. “Instead of hiding behind a spokesperson and avoiding any kind of accountability, Sherrill needs to personally kill the sales tax hike rumors by going on record.”
The Assemblyman is pointing to a massive structural deficit following the passage of a nearly $60 billion budget—the largest in state history—which reportedly outpaced revenue collections by $1.5 billion. DePhillips suggests that this spending gap is driving the desperate need to increase the state’s revenue through a tax hike.
DePhillips’ Counter-Proposal: Cut the Tax Now
To counter the rumored increase and force lawmakers to act on affordability, DePhillips has introduced legislation, A6006, aimed at cutting the state’s current Sales and Use Tax from 6.625% to 6%.
“If this incoming administration is serious about affordability, Sherrill will endorse my tax cut proposal when she responds to reporters,” DePhillips challenged. He argues that the current sales tax, which funnels over $14 billion annually into the general fund, is a regressive tax that disproportionately harms low and middle-income residents.
The “Red Flags” from the Campaign Trail
The Assemblyman also cited Governor-elect Sherrill’s previous reluctance to take a firm stance on the sales tax during the gubernatorial debates as a major source of concern. When directly asked if she would consider raising the sales tax, Sherrill’s response was, “I’m not going to commit to anything right now, because I’m not just going to tell you whatever you want to hear.”
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The Past Precedent: Democrats have attempted similar tax increases during lame-duck sessions before.
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The Budget Hole: A massive budget gap fuels the need for new revenue.
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The Sherrill Silence: Refusal to unequivocally reject the tax hike rumors.
“Her response then was a red flag and her silence now is a red flag,” DePhillips asserted, calling on Sherrill to clearly state she opposes the increase, opposes the Legislature passing it during lame duck, and opposes the current Governor signing it.
New Jersey residents are now waiting for the Governor-elect to either uphold her campaign promise of affordability or confirm the fears that the first major move of her administration will be to make the Garden State even more expensive.
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Just the beginning….in addition to increasing taxes across the board…
Sherrill’s Co chair of energy ctee is none other than Jennifer Granholm, Biden’s Secretary of Energy and proponent of wind and solar which is reason our utility costs have increased by 30%.