New Jersey mayors standing up to bring property tax relief to families
by Bayshore Courier News
Posted:06/15/10

Trenton - Today, the Governor's Office announced that the total number of bipartisan New Jersey mayors supporting Governor Chris Christie's Cap 2.5 constitutional amendment and Reform Agenda has exceeded 200 according to a press release.

Across New Jersey, mayors continue standing up to support Governor Christie's efforts to bring real property tax relief to New Jersey families. They know firsthand the impact these high taxes are having on communities, driving away jobs and hardworking families. Everyday these mayors are on the frontlines of the crisis, forced to deal with ballooning expenses, unfunded mandates, and cost-drivers, which in many cases they have little control over.

Yesterday, the Governor's Office released a web video featuring Mayor Richard Gerbounka (Ind.-Linden) speaking about how the Christie Reform Agenda is the only way to stop the property tax crisis from driving away families and jobs.

On May 10th, the Governor outlined a sweeping 33-bill reform package to solve New Jersey's property tax crisis and control spending at every level of government. The centerpiece of the plan is Cap 2.5, a constitutional amendment creating a 2.5 percent cap on property tax increases.

Legislative committee approval for the Cap 2.5 constitutional amendment is needed before the first week of July in order to meet the deadline for the bill to be moved to the floor and approved for placement on the ballot and consideration by the voters in November. Governor Christie is urging the Assembly and Senate leadership and legislators of both parties to work with him in putting this critical government reform before the voters for approval this November.

Property taxes have grown an astonishing 70% over the last ten years, resulting in an average annual property tax bill of $7,281 on New Jersey families - the highest rate in the nation. Cap 2.5 will halt the astonishing growth in property taxes while the Christie Reform Agenda will give towns and school boards the tools needed to control spending to make Cap 2.5 both realistic and achievable.

Monmouth County mayors endorsed the Christie Reform agenda:

Mayor Frederick Rast, Atlantic Highlands
Mayor Kenneth Florek, Colts Neck
Mayor Thomas Reynolds, Englishtown
Mayor Mike Halfacre, Fair Haven
Mayor John Morgan, Farmingdale
Mayor Dorothy Avallone, Freehold Township
Mayor Anna Little, Highlands
Mayor Serena DiMaso, Esq., Holmdel
Mayor Bob Walsh, Howell Township
Mayor Suzanne Castleman, Little Silver
Mayor Andrew Lucas, Manalapan Township
Mayor Paul Buccellato, Matawan
Mayor Gerry Scharfenberger, Middletown Township
Mayor Thomas Arnone, Neptune City
Mayor Michael Mahon, Oceanport Boro
Mayor John Ekdahl, Rumson
Mayor Maria Fernandes, Sea Bright
Mayor Mark Clemmensen, Sea Girt
Mayor Terel Cooperhouse, Shrewsbury
Mayor Michael Skudera, Tinton Falls
Mayor Paul Smith, Union Beach
Mayor Stanley Moslowski, Upper Freehold


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