RUMANA: CORZINE IS KNOWN AS "THE TAX MAN" FOR GOOD REASON

GOVERNOR'S SOLUTION FOR PLUGGING BUDGET GAP IS TO RAISE PROPERTY TAXES

Assemblyman Scott Rumana today warned the state’s middle class homeowners to brace themselves for another round of property tax increases in light of Governor Jon Corzine’s revelation he intends to cut state aid to local school districts to plug an expected $8 billion budget deficit.

“This governor has no shame and he certainly has no empathy for the plight of our suburban taxpayers who have carried the burden of this state’s fiscal mess for far too long,” commented Rumana, R-Passaic, Bergen and Essex. “It’s time he came up with a new solution for an old problem. Balancing the budget on the broken backs of our middle class isn’t acceptable, it isn’t realistic. They have nothing more to give. That’s why they’re leaving the state.

“Governor Corzine and Democrat legislators have bled our taxpayers dry and with them controlling the purse strings in Trenton, there’s no relief in sight. In fact, residents, particularly those who reside in suburbia, can expect nothing but more hardship.”

Corzine told the Star Ledger Thursday, he plans to close an $8 billion budget gap by reducing state aid to local school districts – which will drive up local property taxes, underfund contributions to the state’s pension system, and continue the income tax surcharge on residents making more than $400,000, a measure he promised would be temporary. 

Rumana said cutting aid to local school districts will not only increase property taxes again, but will force schools to cut programs as well.

“It will be a double blow to middle class families. When Governor Corzine talks about reducing state aid to schools, you can be sure it will be the suburban districts that will absorb the bulk of the cuts,” explained Rumana. “Moms and dads will get stuck with higher property tax bills while their children will face school program cuts.

“No one expected him to snap his fingers and fix our economy overnight,” continued Rumana, referring to a Corzine’s comment that “...there are people that think you can just snap your fingers and solve all these problems.”

“But he’s had four years to turn this state and its shattered property tax system around. The fact of the matter is property taxes have risen nearly 20 percent under his watch. Telling people who have lost their jobs, their homes and their hope that your next four-year plan is to raise taxes is heartless and irresponsible.”

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