NEW JERSEY CRUSHED BY PROPERTY TAX; PIO COSTA SEEKS A LEASH ON GOVERNMENT TO BRING RELIEF TO 36TH

Nutley, NJ -- Assembly candidate for the 36th District Carmen Pio Costa today set out a vision for a property tax revolution, calling for a leash on government and an end to perks for politicians.

"District 36 is made up of towns in Bergen, Passaic, and Essex counties. All three are in the Top Ten counties with the highest property taxes in the nation. This cannot go on," said Pio Costa, a Nutley businessman. "We need a property tax revolution."

The non-partisan, non-profit Tax Foundation used 2006 data to rank the country's counties by median property tax. Seven counties in the top 10 are in New Jersey. The national median tax bill is $1,742. The average tax bill in the 36th District is $6,166.

"Government is growing out of control. We need to put a leash on it, starting with a hiring freeze," said Pio Costa. "Then we need to repeal the sales and business tax increases that have chased customers and jobs out of the state. Lasting reform won't come, though, until we ammend the constitution to put speed limits on state spending growth and more fairly fund our schools."

"The politicians in Trenton have not listened to the people. They do not deserve to have better perks than the average citizen that is their boss. That's why I am calling for an end to life-time benefits for part-time legislators, and a stronger ban on dual-office holding that does not excuse current double-dippers."

"My opponents do not agree with me. They see no need for such drastic measures. In fact, Assemblyman Schaer did not even vote for the weak ban on dual-office holding. He rather voted himself a benefits raise as a Passaic councilman. It is time the citizens of the 36th send someone to Trenton who will listen to them alone."

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