New Jersey Business & Industry Association President and CEO Michele N.Siekerka, Esq. today issued the following statement on state revenue announcements by the state Office of Legislative Services and Treasury.
“The state tax collections announced today are encouraging, but not necessarily surprising considering the strength of the national economy, coupled with a Corporate Business Tax rate increase last year that is now second highest in the nation and is bringing in record receipts for the state. “What is surprising, in light of this windfall, is the continued call for even more taxation as part of the FY 2020 budget proposal. Clearly, this additional revenue is more justification to not increase the Gross Income Tax rate on those making over $1 million, as proposed, as it will further hurt our competitiveness in the region.
Ridgewood NJ, according to the Tax Foundation the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) significantly reduced the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent, making the U.S. more competitive with other developed nations.
However, it’s important for lawmakers to remember that corporate income taxes at the state level also contribute to the overall tax burden on corporate profits.
Trenton NJ, Senate President Steve Sweeney issued the following statement in response to Governor Phil Murphy’s latest millionaire’s tax proposal:
“The unexpected surge in revenues the Governor is now claiming is the surge the Legislature expected when we imposed a 2.5 percent surcharge on the millionaire and billionaire corporations that benefited directly from the Republican Congress’ tax cut. It is the Corporation Business Tax surcharge we imposed that has been coming in far over the Administration’s revenue projections – just as the Legislature said it would.
Wayne NJ, Assemblyman Kevin J. Rooney warned the state’s economy is in danger without meaningful spending cuts after attending Gov. Phil Murphy’s invitation-only budget roundtable for Passaic County elected officials.
Trenton NJ, At an invitation-only budget roundtable for Passaic County elected officials today, Gov. Phil Murphy reneged on his plan to raid $33 million from a special fund dedicated to helping the state’s firefighters and their families facing tragedy or financial hardship.
TRENTON NJ, In an effort to provide relief to taxpayers, Assemblyman Christopher DePhillips pushes towns to pledge against passing a rain tax.
“Over the past few days I have joined Assemblyman Ryan Peters by imploring municipalities to oppose the rain tax by taking the ‘no rain tax’ pledge and passing a ‘no rain tax resolution.’” I have reached out to mayors in my district and many of them have agreed that our residents are overtaxed and charging people for rain would only add insult to injury,” said DePhillips (R-Bergen).
Ridgewood NJ, Gov. Phil Murphy’s plan to raid more than $30 million from a special fund dedicated to helping the state’s firefighters was condemned today by Assemblyman Kevin J. Rooney.
“Governor Murphy, once again, refuses to acknowledge New Jersey’s affordability crisis. Instead of cutting spending, Murphy’s budget relies on gimmicks that take funding away from our first responders,” said Rooney (R-Bergen). “Stealing from our firefighters does not create a ‘stronger and fairer New Jersey’’ Murphy should be cutting spending and saving taxpayer money.”
Statement by Ralph Albert Thomas, CPA (DC), CGMA, CEO and Executive Director, NJCPA
Trenton NJ, Certified public accountants often hear objections about New Jersey’s high taxes from clients who are looking to leave New Jersey — and this past tax season was no exception, according to members of the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants (NJCPA). And a Rutgers-Eagleton poll done in collaboration with the New Jersey Business & Industry Association (NJBIA) serves to underscore why.
PFANJ Statement on Proposed $33M Fund Diversion from New Jersey State Fireman’s Association
Dear Brothers & Sisters,
As reported in NJ.com () on May 5, 2019, it appears that the Governor’s proposed budget for 2020 calls for $33 million to be siphoned from the New Jersey Fireman’s Association. This fund was established in 1885 to assist active and retired firefighters – paid or volunteer – during times of financial hardship or tragedy.
The State’s reasoning is that the fund is healthy and will still have plenty of money after the $33 million is removed. Respectfully, we all know how that worked out back in the 1990’s when the State siphoned money from the Police and Fire Retirement System!
We cannot let history repeat itself.
The State of New Jersey should learn from their prior mistakes – mistakes the pension fund (PFRS) are still suffering from today.
Dominick Marino President Professional Firefighters Association of New Jersey
Upper Saddle River NJ, on May 3rd the Upper Saddle River Police department issued an important crime alert , warning residents of multiple car thefts off of East Saddle River Road ,where four vehicles were stolen , all by key fob left in the cars and one was one taken from a closed garage using a garage door opener left in an other car. A residential burglary and an attempted burglary were also reported , both occurred while residents were home.
Ocean Township NJ, With Memorial Day Weekend and the unofficial start of the summer season just weeks away, Legislative District 11 General Assembly candidates Mike Amoroso and Matt Woolley are pressuring Democratic leadership in Trenton to repeal the 11.625 percent sales and occupancy taxes on homeowners – largely in coastal communities – who directly rent their properties during the summer season.
HACKENSACK NJ,Following an invitation-only budget roundtable for elected Bergen County officials at Fairleigh Dickinson University’s Metropolitan Campus, Assemblymen Christopher P. DePhillips and Kevin J. Rooney slammed the Murphy administration’s runaway spending and tax increases.
“We can’t have any meaningful discussion around this budget without addressing spending cuts and tax cuts,” said DePhillips (R-Bergen). “Moreover, Trenton should be required to live within a two percent spending cap, just like every municipality in our state.”
Trenton NJ, Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean said representatives of the New Jersey Schools Development Authority (SDA) should be prepared to answer questions about the agency’s operations and employment practices at upcoming Senate Budget Committee hearings following today’s resignation of chief executive officer Lizette Delgado-Polanco.
Ridgewood Nj, just a reminder New Jerseyans, you have to work longer than residents of every other state, except one New York to cover your tax bill and enjoy Tax Freedom Day . Its April 30th this year . This is just another sign NJ is moving in the wrong economic direction and no in Trenton cares.