New Jersey - Governor Chris Christie today announced that he has ordered a Special Joint Session of the Legislature for a second day to immediately address his Cap 2.5 Reform Agenda to provide real, immediate and lasting relief to the highest property taxes in the nation faced by New Jersey families and businesses.

"New Jersey residents have waited far too long for property tax relief. New Jersey families pay an average $7,281 in property taxes, up 70 percent in just 10 years," said Governor Christie. "Now it is time to turn our full attention to enacting real, sustainable property tax relief for New Jerseyans. The taxpayers need relief and expect us to act soon."

Acting under his authority in Article V, Section 1, Paragraph 12 and Article IV, Section 1, Paragraph 4 of the New Jersey Constitution, Governor Christie notified the leadership of the Senate and Assembly today in a letter that a Special Joint Session of the Legislature should be convened this Friday, July 2, 2010 according to a press release.

In addition to considering the proposed Cap 2.5 constitutional amendment for placement on the ballot for the November General Election, Governor Christie has also ordered the special session to address the thirty-three legislative proposals to reduce costs at the municipal, school and higher education levels.

Senator Jennifer Beck, Assemblyman Declan O'Scanlon and Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande issue the following statement on the passage of New Jersey's Fiscal Year 2011 State Budget:

The New Jersey State budget has passed both the State Senate and General Assembly, and did so through a bipartisan effort lead by the minority party. There were hard choices, but this is the first step in putting New Jersey on the right course towards economic recovery and prosperity. We firmly believe that by following the plan set forth by Governor Christie, we will see lower taxes, less waste and a brighter future for New Jersey.

Nationally, the economic crisis has taken its toll, but in New Jersey we have felt it even more acutely since our State has been financially mismanaged for the past eight years. If we had continued along the path of tax and spend, we would have sunk New Jersey into an $11 billion deficit. With tough choices, we have been able to cut State spending by $4 billion and reduce spending by nine percent over last year, helping to truly put New Jersey on the road to financial recovery.

New Jersey residents saw spending increased by $12 billion over the last eight years. Property taxes have increased 60 percent since 2001, leaving property owners paying a staggering $7,281 on average, the highest in the nation. If local officials had kept their spending to 2.5 percent increases each year since then, such as proposed under Cap 2.5, the state's average property tax bill would leave an additional $1,600 in the pockets of taxpayers.

As we move forward, we must remain focused on the goal of job creation and making New Jersey competitive once again. We're losing both businesses and residents over our borders due to high taxes and few job opportunities. This must end, and with the right leadership and with an eye towards a more prosperous future for our State, it will end, and New Jersey will become a true destination for companies, families and visitors.