ASSEMBLY BILL TO BOOST PROPERTY TAX RELIEF FOR SENIOR CITIZENS AND DISABLED SIGNED INTO LAW

ASSEMBLY BILL TO BOOST PROPERTY TAX RELIEF FOR SENIOR CITIZENS AND DISABLED SIGNED INTO LAW

Measure Increases Income Limits for Property Tax Relief Program

(CLIFFSIDE PARK) – Gov. Jon S. Corzine today signed into law an Assembly bill to help more senior citizens and disabled residents receive property tax relief.

The bill (A-3460) raises the income eligibility limits for senior citizen and disabled homeowners to apply for the Senior Freeze property tax relief program, increasing household income limits from $55,000 to $80,000 over the next three years.

The law is sponsored by Assembly members Paul Moriarty (D-Gloucester), Joan Voss (D-Bergen), Linda Greenstein (D-Middlesex), Sandi Love (D-Camden/Gloucester), Nellie Pou (D-Passaic) and Patrick J. Diegnan (D-Middlesex).

“Making it easier for senior citizens and disabled homeowners to take advantage of this property tax relief will help ensure the global economic crisis doesn’t force residents on fixed incomes out of their homes,” Moriarty said. “Seniors and disabled residents on fixed incomes are bearing the brunt of higher costs on everything from utilities to groceries to gas. Providing these households a property tax cut is the right thing to do to ensure they can stay in their homes.”

“Senior citizens who have given their lives and energy to New Jersey deserve all the help we can give them,” Voss said. “Many already have a tough enough time staying in their homes, and this global crisis isn’t making things any easier.”

“The global economic crisis has hit hard, which is particularly painful for those on fixed incomes,” Greenstein said. “Property tax relief remains a top priority, and this help will prove crucial to many.”

“Helping New Jerseyans weather this economic storm has and will continue to be our top priority, but few things we will do will be as important as ensuring senior and disabled citizens can afford to stay in their homes,” Love said.

“This added relief will help seniors and disabled citizens from the cities to the suburbs keep what is precious to them and something they’ve worked hard to obtain – their homes,” Pou said. “We know we can’t solve a global economic crisis, but we can help those in need and that’s what we’re doing here.”

“Helping senior citizens and disabled residents is among the most decent things we can do as we battle this worldwide economic meltdown,” Diegnan said. “This will be an added lifeline that helps ensure they emerge strong from this crisis.”

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