Q&A Friday

Dear Assemblyman Panter,


I am a resident of Marlboro, and since I moved here 15 years ago, my the increases in my property taxes have been astronomical. It's been tough on my family budget, but I do in some ways feel fortunate that at least I am a working person with a growing income, unlike some of the senior citizens living in my neighborhood who are on fixed incomes.


I know state officials have been using this topic as a campaign platform for years, but I long ago lost hope that the property tax problem in New Jersey would really be addressed. Hearing this week, though, that former Governor Codey and the Assembly Speaker have decided to call a special session has me wondering whether I should feel at least a little bit optimistic. Is there any way that this special session will have an effect on our tax bills?


Randall
Marlboro

Dear Randall,

In a word, yes. I am personally very optimistic about the chances this special session has to make a serious difference in the property tax problem.

For anyone who hasn't been following this story, Assembly Speaker Joseph Roberts and Senate President Codey (the former Governor) earlier this week called for the Legislature to reconvene this summer, during the time when we are typically on a break from voting sessions. The sole purpose of this session is to address the property tax problem. I believe this session is the best chance we have at changing the situation of property owners like you and your neighbors.

Having spent a large portion of my time since taking office discussing shared services and consolidation of municipalities and school districts, it is very encouraging to see that Speaker Roberts and Senate President Codey have envisioned joint committees specifically to study these ideas. In New Jersey, we have a longstanding and unhealthy relationship with the concept of ‘home rule’ which is draining taxpayers’ pocketbooks and limiting our efficiency.

All of the joint committees being convened (the actual lineup is still being discussed with Governor Corzine's office, I hear) will be bipartisan, which I think is an important ingredient in the potential success of the special session as a whole. It is my hope that my colleagues will be able to leave politics at the door and set to work on this problem, which most New Jersey residents put at the top of their priority list.

The Senate President and the Speaker have said that they hope to implement meaningful reform by the end of the year. That would be very good news for every property owner in the state. I'll keep everyone posted as this progresses.