MORIARTY BILL TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR SENIOR AND DISABLED CITIZENS TO RETAIN PROPERTY TAX RELIEF GETS FINAL LEGISLATIVE APPROVAL (TRENTON) - Legislation sponsored by Assemblyman Paul Moriarty that would make it easier for senior and disabled citizens who move to retain their property tax reimbursement was approved today by the Senate and Assembly, giving it final legislative approval. "New Jersey's property tax reimbursement program is a key lifeline to many senior and disabled homeowners striving to make ends meets, especially amid this global economic downturn," said Moriarty (D-Gloucester/Camden). "They should not lose this valuable lifeline for years just because they move to a new home. That makes no sense. This bill would fix that and make it easier for seniors and disabled citizens to regain this crucial help." The reimbursement program is more commonly known as the Senior Freeze program. Moriarty last year sponsored a new law that increased income eligibility for the program to $80,000 over the next years. His law will allow 70,000 additional households to join the program, which now helps about 132,000 households. Under current law, a person must meet income requirements and paid property taxes directly or through rent on a principal residence in the state for at least 10 consecutive years, including three as the owner of the property for which the reimbursement is sought. Eligible claimants who move from one home to another are barred from eligibility to receive a property tax reimbursement until they own the new residence for three years. Moriarty's bill (A-2195) would still require an eligible claimant to meet the three year ownership requirement for initial eligibility, but would allow an eligible claimant who moves to resume eligibility for a property tax reimbursement for the second full tax year. "We're making sure senior and disabled citizens who move aren't penalized simply because they move," Moriarty said. "This is vital help to many and it should be easier to retain." The bill was approved 37-0 by the Senate and 77-2 by the Assembly. It now goes to the governor. On the Net: www.assemblydems.comwww.youtube.com/user/njassemblydemsNew Jersey Assembly Democrats on Facebookhttp://www.assemblydems.com/Subscription/SubscriptionSignIn.asp