KYRILLOS INTRODUCES BILL TO KILL DEMOCRAT SALES TAX
New Jersey National Laughingstock Following State Shutdown

Senator Joseph M. Kyrillos Jr., (R-13), will introduce legislation today which would repeal the punitive and regressive sales tax increase rammed through the Legislature by the Trenton Democrats.
Senator Joseph M. Kyrillos Jr., (R-13), will introduce legislation today which would repeal the punitive and regressive sales tax increase rammed through the Legislature by the Trenton Democrats.

The $1.1 billion dollar increase in the sales tax should be repealed to ensure that our economy remains competitive within the region,� Kyrillos stated. “This 16 % increase more than the current rate and would be the second highest rate in the country, trailing only California. Furthermore this sales tax increase could have been avoided by only a 3% budget savings.�

The six-day shutdown of State Government was precipitated by a Democratic intra-party dispute over whether to raise the sales tax or the income tax. During the shutdown nearly 100,000 people were laid off and many more were inconvenienced by shuttered state offices.

There were no winners in this fiasco, certainly not the small businesses or taxpayers who will never be able to recoup the losses that were incurred through no fault of their own,� Kyrillos continued. “Small business makes up more than 50% of our economy and some of them may not be able to recover from these losses.

By some estimates the State was losing nearly $5 million per day from combined casino and lottery revenue. Additional revenue was lost due to the downturn in economic activity caused by the casino closings.

I fear that the bad publicity generated by the Democrat’s government shutdown will make New Jersey a less attractive place to live and raise a family. People will think twice now before deciding to move here,� Kyrillos explained. “Businesses will also be forced to factor this incident into their calculations when they decide whether to expand or relocate within New Jersey. High sales and property taxes combined with 49th ranked business climate in the nation and chaotic government institutions will compel them to consider alternate locations.

Wednesday July 5 all state parks and beaches as well as Atlantic City’s casinos were closed by the Governor’s executive order. The Atlantic City casino closings were the first time the casinos had closed since 24 hour gambling was authorized.

This shutdown hurt everyone, young or old, no one could enjoy our world class recreational and entertainment attractions,� Kyrillos said. “Everyone from surf fishermen banned from Long Island Beach State Park to seniors whose bus trip to Atlantic City was canceled felt the effects of this shutdown. Once again our State was a staple of late night comic’s monologues, a national laughingstock.�

New Jersey has the fourth highest cost of living in the nation. The U.S. Census bureau reports that nearly 60,000 people left New Jersey last year alone.

People are voting with their feet. New Jersey is not affordable for young families just starting out or seniors living on a fixed income. This bill repealing the Democrat’s sales tax increase will be a first step towards reversing this trend, Kyrillos concluded.