the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, In order to force Trenton to consider the real concerns of residents, Assemblyman Christopher DePhillips and Assemblywoman Serena DiMaso announced the creation of a tax cut caucus that would fight for state taxpayers who are overburdened by the Democrats’ tax-and-spend policies.
“It’s time we talk affordability and it’s time we consider legislation that would reduce taxes for citizens and businesses – these are the concerns of the citizens of this state and they are being completely ignored by the Democratic majority,” said DePhillips (R-Bergen). “I invite any legislator in the Assembly who wants to fight to keep families in this state to join our tax cut caucus. We will methodically review all pending taxes in New Jersey and make recommendations to cut them, or eliminate them, at every voting session in the coming two-year term.”
In the last voting sessions, the Democrats posted and passed bills to create a parking tax in six municipalities, exceed the property tax cap in municipalities with underfunded school districts, and create driver’s licenses for illegal immigrants.
“I think the Democrats are underestimating the power of the people to fight back, but that is exactly what we intend to do,” said DiMaso (R-Monmouth). “The Democrats are spending money the state doesn’t have and then forcing taxpayers to pay for their bad legislation. This caucus will ensure we start hearing about real solutions to real issues.”
A Monmouth University poll found that most respondents name property taxes as the most important issue facing New Jersey, along with income taxes, taxes and the cost of living in general. An NJBIA-Rutgers poll had similar results, with approximately 80 percent of respondents saying they pay more in taxes than they get in return, and listing property taxes as the main problem. A poll by Farleigh Dickinson and the Garden State Initiative found that 44 percent of New Jerseyans plan to leave New Jersey because of property taxes and the high cost of living, while 28 percent plan to leave in the next five years.
“I want to thank Chris DePhillips and Serena DiMaso for helping us bring the issue of affordability to the forefront of the discussion in Trenton,” said Assembly Republican Leader Bramnick (R-Union). “Republicans have continually advocated for reducing taxes and improving New Jersey’s business environment with bills ready for discussion and ready for votes.”
Since Gov. Phil Murphy has taken office, the Democrat-controlled Legislature has passed more than two dozen bills increasing taxes and fees. Murphy has signed more than half of them, costing taxpayers at least $2.5 billion. Despite increasing spending, pensions and education are still underfunded by a combined $2.6 billion and property taxes remain the highest in the nation.
