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| Sunday, February 18th, 2007 | | 5:28 pm |
Public Pessimistic About Property Tax Plan
A new Monmouth University/Gannett New Jersey Poll has found that more New Jerseyans are dissatisfied than satisfied with the Property Tax package approved by the Legislature. Among the findings:
- Only 1-in-10 homeowners believes that they will see significant savings from the “Credits” portion of the legislation. - Nearly half of homeowners say they will see a small savings from this program, but a sizable 39% expect to see no benefit in the end. - Only 12% expect that the current “Caps” plan will bring long-term relief while about half say that any savings to the taxpayer will disappear fairly quickly. - Another 34% feel that by the time the plan gets implemented in the coming year there won’t even be any short-term relief for the state’s homeowners. Read the full report at www.monmouth.edu/polling. | | Sunday, January 21st, 2007 | | 7:34 pm |
New Place, Same Story
The property tax debate moves to the Senate tomorrow, but the prospects for substantive reform are still remote. If anything, the bills are even weaker than when the Assembly considered them two weeks ago. Today's Star-Ledger editorial said it well. | | Wednesday, January 17th, 2007 | | 4:08 pm |
Still Far Apart
Governor Corzine met with about 200 mayors at the Statehouse today, but it appears there is still a long way to go before everyone gets on the same page for property tax relief. The Governor is insisting on a four percent cap for municipal property tax increases, but the Mayors want no part of it. They also are lukewarm to Corzine’s proposal for a state comptroller, as well as his offer to impose local taxes. READ BERGEN RECORD STORY. | | Monday, January 8th, 2007 | | 11:58 am |
Stronger Steps Needed for Property Tax Reform
It will take much more than the bills on today’s Assembly board list to make property tax reform a reality in New Jersey.
“After spending months discussing the issue, the Legislature is offering New Jerseyans a mixture of small steps, study groups and tentative gestures,” said Michael P. Riccards, Executive Director of the Hall Institute of Public Policy. “Major relief will not come from small steps.”
The State Assembly is scheduled to consider several property tax reform bills today, including:
- A2 - Establishes an independent Office of State Comptroller and consolidates financial audit and performance reviews of State and local government units;
- A4 - Implements CORE proposals, including "Uniform Shared Services and Consolidation Act"; user -friendly budgets; November fire and school district elections; revision of county superintendent of schools title and duties;
- A6 - Establishes the "New Jersey Tax and Fiscal Policy Study Commission" to study the State and local tax structure and related fiscal issues;
- A8 - Establishes a pilot program in the state Department of Education for the organization of a county administrative school district; and
- A15 - Establishes the "Local Unit Alignment, Reorganization, and Consolidation Commission" and establishes measures for local government efficiency.
“At a time when New Jersey families are struggling to pay the highest property taxes in the nation, this represents an ominous start for the new year,” said Hall Institute Communications Director Richard A. Lee, who is overseeing the organization’s online Property Tax Forum.
Launched in December, the Hall Institute’s online forum about property taxes features reports, opinion pieces and an interactive dialogue at www.hallnj.org/propertytax.
# # #
| | Sunday, January 7th, 2007 | | 2:26 pm |
| | Friday, January 5th, 2007 | | 12:52 pm |
Assembly Action
The State Assembly is scheduled to consider several property tax reform bills on Monday, including:
- A2 - Establishes an independent Office of State Comptroller and consolidates financial audit and performance reviews of State and local government units.
- A4 - Implements CORE proposals, including "Uniform Shared Services and Consolidation Act"; user -friendly budgets; November fire and school district elections; revision of county superintendent of schools title and duties.
- A6 - Establishes the "New Jersey Tax and Fiscal Policy Study Commission" to study the State and local tax structure and related fiscal issues.
- A8 - Establishes a pilot program in the state Department of Education for the organization of a county administrative school district.
- A15 - Establishes the "Local Unit Alignment, Reorganization, and Consolidation Commission" and establishes measures for local government efficiency.
| | Thursday, January 4th, 2007 | | 4:02 pm |
| | Sunday, December 31st, 2006 | | 9:51 pm |
2006: Our Year in Review
JANUARY - A 15-second television spot highlighting the Hall Institute of Public Policy - New Jersey makes its debut on New Jersey Network. The Institute also co-sponsors NJN’s live coverage of Jon Corzine's inauguration as Governor.
- Matt Carter, General Secretary of the Labour Party in Great Britain visits the Hall Institute to discuss public policy issues and approaches.
- Hall Institute Executive Director Michael P. Riccards tapes two segments for CN8's Comcast Newsmakers program. Riccards discusses the Institute’s research on health care and higher education.
FEBRUARY - The Hall Institute issues MEDICAID IN NEW JERSEY: OPTIONS FOR REFORM, a study that finds New Jersey has done a good job of expanding access to public insurance coverage, but needs to undertake more aggressive efforts to control the costs of that coverage.
- The Trenton Times features the Hall Institute in a story published in the newspaper’s Business Section.
- MAKING PUBLIC COLLEGES AFFORDABLE, an op-ed on higher education costs written by Hall Institute Trustee Robert P. Haney, is published in The New York Times.
MARCH APRIL - As the New Jersey Smoke-Free Air Act, which bans smoking in most indoor public places, takes effect, the Hall Institute posts a series of studies on the impact that smoking bans have had in other states.
MAY - During a Statehouse news conference, Hall Institute founder George E. Hall proposes an online VIRTUAL DEBATEbetween New Jersey’s candidates for the U.S. Senate – the first of its type in New Jersey. Both major candidates agree to participate.
- CONTROLLING NEW JERSEY’S HEALTHCARE COSTS, a new Hall Institute report, concludes that state policymakers have limited leverage with which to control rising health care costs, but that there are a few steps New Jersey legislators should consider.
- Hall Institute Communications Director Richard A. Lee discusses the impact of the Governor's proposed cuts to higher education on Inside Trenton, a television program airing on WNET Channel 13 and NJN Television.
JUNE - Former Governor Christine Todd Whitman writes an op-ed titled OPEN DIALOGUE ON ENVIRONMENT KEY TO IMPROVING FAITH IN GOVERNMENT for the Hall Institute.
- The Hall Instituteco-sponsors a live televised debate between New Jersey’s two major candidates for U.S. Senate - Republican Thomas H. Kean Jr. and Democrat Robert Menendez.
- Hall Institute Executive Director Michael P. Riccards testifies before the N.J. Senate Health, Human Services, and Senior Citizens Committee as the panel considers legislation designed to combat Medicaid fraud. Riccards notes that the Hall Institute has commissioned a three-part series on health care in New Jersey, which includes the white paper MEDICAID IN NEW JERSEY: OPTIONS FOR REFORM, whichrecommends that New Jersey increase its efforts to reduce Medicaid fraud.
- Riccards is selected to serve as a fellow for an ethics initiative sponsored by the Rutgers University Academic Excellence Fund and the PrudentialBusinessEthicsCenter at Rutgers-Newark. As a fellow, he will assist the organizations with their efforts to address issues such as pay to play, dual office holding, conflict of interest, and pension abuse.
JULY - The Hall Institute’s U.S. Senate VIRTUAL DEBATE– the first of its type in New Jersey –begins on Independence Day with opening statements from the candidates.
- NEW JERSEY AND RESEARCH – TOGETHER NO LONGER?, a new Hall Institute study, suggests that New Jersey’s historical position as a leading research telecommunications state is in danger and may already have been irreparably damaged.
- The Institute co-sponsors New Jersey Network's coverage of Governor Corzine's special address to the Legislature on property tax reform.
- In light of proposals to establish liquefied natural gas (LNG) platforms in different parts of the country, including the shore areas near New Jersey and New York, the Hall Institute posts THE LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS DEBATE, which features links to reports and articles on this issue.
AUGUST - Hall Institute Communications Director Richard A. Lee appears on the Fox News Channel during a segment on New Jersey’s U.S. Senate election. Lee provides commentary on the race for the Special Report w/Brit Hume program.
SEPTEMBER - Hall Institute Executive Director Michael P. Riccards’ opinion piece on pay-to-play, INCUMBENT POLS AT PLAY, appears in The New York Times.
- DOING MORE TO PREVENT A NUCLEAR 9/11, an op-ed written by Congressman Rob Andrews and Jack Caravelli, who served on the White House National Security Council staff during the Clinton Administration, is published on the Hall Institute website.
- The Hall Institute website is awarded a Gold 2006 JASPER Award from the Jersey Shore Public Relations and Advertising Association. The award is presented to DefinedLogic, the site's designer, at the association's annual awards banquet in Holmdel.
OCTOBER - The Hall Institute publishes THE STATE OF THE GARDEN STATE, an academic journal featuring the major research conducted by the Institute during its first year of operation. The 295-page hardcover book contains 12 chapters on topics such as education, health care, the economy and the environment.
- As Election Day approaches, interest in the Hall Institute’s VIRTUAL DEBATEbetween New Jersey’s candidates for the U.S. Senate increases dramatically. The VIRTUAL DEBATEwebsite receives 3,642 hits during the week of October 22 to 28 - more than the entire total of hits dating back to the start of the debate on July 4.
- The Hall Institute hosts a small reception at the Statehouse to celebrate its first anniversary, the publication of its academic journal and the success of its virtual debate for the U.S. Senate campaign.
NOVEMBER - Hall Institute Executive Director Michael P. Riccards tapes two segments for CN8's Comcast Newsmakers program. Riccards discusses THE STATE OF THE GARDEN STATE and the debate over a proposal to build a liquefied natural gas island off the coast of Monmouth County.
- Hall Institute Communications Director Richard A. Lee is a panelist at an ethics forum sponsored by the New Jersey chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. The program, "Hacks & Flacks: Tales from 'the Dark Side'", features four former journalists who left the field to work in public relations.
- Lee, a former music critic, delivers his paper, THE ABILITY OF PROTEST MUSIC TO SERVE AS AN ALTERNATIVE MEDIA AND EFFECT SOCIAL CHANGE, at the 1968: Global Resistance and Local Knowledge Graduate Student Conference at Drew University.
- The Hall Institute returns to Atlantic City for the New Jersey State League of Municipalities 91st Annual League Conference with an exhibit offering information and material about its research and related activities.
DECEMBER - As the Legislature begins to consider proposals for property tax reform, the Hall Institute launches an online forum on the issue, featuring reports, opinion pieces and an interactive dialogue. Located at WWW.HALLNJ.ORG/PROPERTYTAX,the new initiative is designed to build on the success of the virtual debate the Institute conducted for New Jersey’s 2006 U.S. Senate campaign.
- Hall Institute Executive Director Michael P. Riccards appears on Carpe Diem, an award-winning weekly half-hour magazine show produced by the Department of Broadcasting at MontclairStateUniversity. Riccards discuses property taxes and the Institute’s new online forum on the issue.
Visit the Hall Institute online at WWW.HALLNJ.ORG to read these articles and other topical material: | | Wednesday, December 20th, 2006 | | 3:01 pm |
'Back Off' on Our Pensions
By Michael P. Riccards
The recent concerns about escalating property taxes have forced New Jersey politicians to cast a cold eye toward the state’s pension system and other employee benefits. Acting Governor Richard Codey’s committee came in with a major set of recommendations advocating cuts in benefits, eligibility, and changes in the defined benefits plans now in use. The responses of the state unions have been swift, predictable, and especially vocal. They insisted in their rally in mid-December that the politicians should stop blaming the employees and look at the mismanagement of the pension system, under the various governors, especially Christine Todd Whitman. The funds were poorly invested, benefits were incredibly expanded, and contributions had been neglected. The Star Ledger has done a story in the past which argued that those factors have been a part of the bankruptcy in leadership of nearly all modern governors and the state legislatures of both parties. There are no heroes in this tale. In 1999 the ratio of assets to obligations was 113 percent; by 2004 it dropped to 85 percent. In a more recent piece, Paul Mulshine (December 12) has argued that the unions and the general public’s perceptions are just wrong. Whitman put more money into the system than any other governor. Every cent of the $2.7 billion bond issue, supported by the NJEA among others, went into the pennon fund. There was a large surplus in that fund when Whitman left office. It was the unions that insisted that the Legislature in 200l give them a 9 percent increase in pension income. Acting Governor Donald Di Francesco and the Republican leaders thought that this payoff to the unions would help them in the upcoming elections. Instead the unions supported Jim McGreevey. So much for gratitude. Mc Greevey suspended payments in the pension fund and added on new benefits. When the Legislature under Senator Codey and Speaker Roberts tried to weld together a shaky coalition to reform pensions and health benefits, Governor Corzine came out at the last hour and said that he will deal with the issue through collective bargaining. Then he decided if the Legislature really wants to go on record and pass some reforms, it could do so, but he may veto them. Looking out their windows and seeing 8,000 chanting public employees several days later, one can imagine how they felt about his invitation. Not exactly a strong mandate for reform , and also another example of leaving the Democratic leaders out on a limb sawed off by the Democratic governor. It is getting to be a habit. But the problems of the pension system remain. Facts are stubborn things. # # # | | Friday, December 15th, 2006 | | 8:48 am |
TV Show To Focus on Hall Institute Property Tax Forum
Hall Institute Executive Director Michael P. Riccards will be on television next week, discussing property tax reform and the Institute's online Property Tax Forum.
Riccards will appear on Carpe Diem, an award-winning weekly half-hour magazine show produced by the Department of Broadcasting at Montclair State University. The program is scheduled to air on: · Cablevision Bergen: Channel 77: Monday, 5 p.m. · Comcast Channel 26: Tuesday, 9 p.m. · Cablevision Morris Channel 21: Wednesday 5 p.m. · Cablevision Paterson Channel 75: Wednesday 5:30 p.m. · Cablevision Oakland/Clifton Channel 76: Thursday 3 p.m. · Clifton Cable TV Channel 77: Friday 10:30 .pm. · Montclair Channel 34: Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, 7 p.m. | | Thursday, December 14th, 2006 | | 3:09 pm |
The Power of Suggestion
By Richard A. Lee Let’s take stock of where things stand at the moment on the issue of consolidating New Jersey’s many municipal governments and school districts in an effort to reduce costs and lower property taxes. - Last week, a Quinnipiac University poll found strong support for merging municipal governments and school districts. Overall, the concept was supported by a 61-31 percent margin, and it was favored among all political groups.
- But local officials don’t believe consolidation will produce significant cost savings. This week, in a New Jersey State League of Municipalities survey of New Jersey mayors, three-quarters of the 245 mayors responding said they do not believe consolidation of municipalities would result in tax relief.
- Meanwhile, New Jersey lawmakers may punt on the issue and create a new state commission that would ask voters to merge municipal governments and school districts.
Given the present scenario, the forecast for cost-savings from consolidation may appear bleak. Nevertheless, there may yet be a silver lining in the storm clouds looming over Trenton. Research conducted by Vincent L. Marando of the University of Maryland found that when consolidation becomes a high profile public issue, it can lead to cost-savings, even if the proposed mergers never take place. He argues that, because the mere discussion of the issue educates the public and decision-makers, it can open doors to cost-savings that can be achieved through shared services, coordination of activities and other initiatives. In Western Political Quarterly, Marando points specifically to a proposed city-county consolidation in Sacramento, California, that was the subject of an article written by Glen Sparrow of San Diego State University. Although voters rejected the proposed consolidation by a margin of about three-to-one, the process ultimately produced positive results. “Glen Sparrow observed,” Marando wrote, “chiefs of 23 fire districts began to meet regularly and seriously, considered functional consolidation, adopted a single countywide fire code, began serious discussion on consolidation of city and county planning, created citizen advisory committees, and formed an umbrella water agency. ‘ In short,’ Sparrow writes, ‘while voters refused to accept an overall change in government, the education of the political leadership seems to have taken place and change is occurring.’ Sacramento does not stand alone in counting its blessings from having engaged in the process of reform.” On a broader scale, Marando found there are additional benefits that accrue when consolidation becomes a public issue. “Although few consolidations have been adopted, the reform process may carry its own rewards,” he wrote. “It may be suggested that even if consolidation is rejected, some goals are attained: citizens become involved in government, civic education occurs, referenda are encouraged, civic associations are formed, and perhaps a lasting sensitivity to civic duty remains as a residue of the consolidation effort.” Marando’s article was written more than 25 years ago, and although he refers to consolidation efforts in several parts of the country, he does not specifically address New Jersey or other Northeast states. Yet the points he makes are well-stated and could very well have implications for the current property tax discussion in the State of New Jersey. # # # | | 11:35 am |
Finding the Right Balance for Property Tax Reform
By Gregory J. Townsend
Taxpayers may realize that the funding of education and property taxes are directly related. However, many do not realize how incredibly difficult it is to maintain reforms in one without creating a detrimental effect in the other. Study after study has shown how truly difficult this is. The reasoning behind this may be purely psychological. In his 1993 report on the equalization of school funding, Michael Mintron lists several possibilities as to why education reform is so difficult to implement or maintain. Mintron first suggests that state legislators will support only those policies that benefit groups whose support determine the legislators’ political survival. This is assuming of course that the primary goal of a politician is to ensure his/her incumbency or political relevance. The second possibility is based on the assumption that taxpayers prefer to minimize their personal taxation. Finally, there are the parents of the students who Mintron assumes will seek to maximize the relative advantage that their child has. Although his report was written in 1993 and primarily based on reform efforts that took place throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Mintron’s arguments hit fairly close to home during what is now a similar discussion of taxation, but in the year 2006. He admits that the reasoning listed above is purely based on assumptions, but it is safe to say that many of these assumptions are echoed today. The sentiments expressed by the public sound oddly familiar. However, even more similarities arise when Mintron conducts his empirical research. His study found that efforts to equalize school funding in New Jersey in the 1970s failed. The reason he cites for this is competitive advantage. The evidence estimated that in 1976/77 the least wealthy districts in New Jersey would reduce their contributions to schooling by approximately $570 for every $1,000 of state funding. The wealthiest school districts, because they have the means to do so, were expected to match the increase almost “dollar-for-dollar.” The reasoning behind this is that the more affluent areas of New Jersey wished to maintain their educational advantage over the rest of the state. The interests of the poorest districts of New Jersey and the richest districts cannot be met simultaneously. Taxpayers in the poorer districts are obvious supporters of state aid for their schools. The wealthier districts oppose equalization, and state-level taxes in general. Mintron conducted an experiment in an attempt to link lagging support for the Democratic Party in 1991 and his results were quite interesting. For every $5,000 increase in property value per capita, the Democratic Party would lose one percent of the votes. In this light it is difficult to imagine a proposed tax plan that would represent the values of Democrats and Republicans, liberals and conservatives, and the rich and poor. Essentially, New Jersey state government has been echoing the same tax reform themes for 30 to 40 years and has not progressed an inch. Governor after governor has proclaimed the
necessity for property tax and educational reform as a top priority, and typically spun their tires on the topic for the duration of his or her term. The blame cannot be placed entirely on the government. The interests of the rich and the poor can no longer be represented as a zero-sum game. Compromise must be made within the legislature, but also in the real world. Initial reforms will not be the panacea for our property tax woes, but a reform helping everyone a little bit is much better than no reform at all. | | Monday, December 11th, 2006 | | 8:48 am |
Well Said
No one should confuse activity with accomplishment - State Senator Joseph M. Kyrillos Jr. | | Sunday, December 10th, 2006 | | 8:43 pm |
Another Day, Another Story
Governor Corzine apparently has had a change of heart -- of sorts. Earlier this evening, he challenged Senate President Codey and Assembly Speaker Roberts to move forward with plans to reform public employee benefits. It was only a few days ago (Thursday in fact) that the Governor asked the two Legislative leaders to hold off on pension reform legislation so that it would not interfere with contract negotiations. All of this should make for an interesting day on Monday when thousands of employees covered by the state pension plan rally in Trenton. READ THE GOVERNOR'S LETTER. | | Friday, December 8th, 2006 | | 11:24 am |
Public Employee Pensions
Governor Corzine has asked the Legislature to hold off action on public pension reform, contending that changes in the pension system could interfere with contract negotiations with state employee unions. To read the Governor’s letter to Senate President Codey and Assembly Speaker Roberts, click here. To read the response from the two legislative leaders, click here. | | Thursday, December 7th, 2006 | | 12:26 pm |
Union Rally
Public employee unions plan to rally in Trenton on Monday, December 11, in opposition to potential changes in state pensiona and benefits. More information is available by clicking here. | | 12:03 pm |
League of Municipalities Summit
The New Jersey State League of Municipalities is holding a special policy summit on property tax reform on Tuesday, December 12, at the National Guard Armory in Lawrenceville from 8:30 a.m.- 1 p.m. In addition to Mayors and other local officials, the League has invited legislative leaders and administration officials to the session. For details, click here. | | Wednesday, December 6th, 2006 | | 10:59 am |
Quinnipiac Poll
Today's Quinnipiac University poll on property taxes underscores the dilemma confronting New Jersey lawmakers in their attempt to address the number one issue in the state.
From Hall Institute Communications Director Richard A. Lee, who is overseeing the organization’s online Property Tax Forum:
The direction lawmakers choose for property tax reform will show who holds the power and influence in our state. The poll shows strong public support for consolidation of municipal government and school districts, for reductions in public pension benefits, and for a new school funding formula – all of which are opposed by powerful and influential groups in Trenton.
From Hall Institute Executive Director Michael P. Riccards: Public opinion polls do not take into account the intensity factor, that in politics the ‘question’ is how issues arouse passionate minorities that support candidates with money, people power and voter mobilization drives.
Read the Star Ledger story on the poll. | | Tuesday, December 5th, 2006 | | 9:12 am |
The Legislature’s Latest Property Tax Proposal
Now that the Senate President and Assembly Speaker have expanded the proposal for property tax relief with a plan to cut 20 percent off the tax bills of all homeowners with annual incomes up to $100,000, what do you think?
From Hall Institute Executive Director Michael P. Riccards:
“The state needs a genuine commitment to cutting property taxes and not a salary based entitled program. New Jersey is now seeing the fleeing of the middle class into other states.” | | Monday, December 4th, 2006 | | 2:01 pm |
Deja Vu All Over Again
Over the years, the names have changed, but the message is still the same:
“Everything we do here places the emphasis where it belongs -- on bringing property relief to every taxpayer in this state… The realities are stark ... the challenges immense ... and the consequences of inaction are simply unacceptable.” Gov. James E. McGreevey in his 2004 budget address
"Property taxes in New Jersey are too high. ... If a municipality wants to raise property taxes above the rate of inflation, the people should have a say. That's why I propose making those increases subject to voter approval." Gov. Christie Whitman in her fourth annual state-of-the-state address in 1998
“The sad truth is that no matter who is elected, very little will change. During the eight years that I was governor, I increased aid to local government and schools more than any governor in history. That was supposed to lower property taxes. It didn't.” Gov. Thomas H. Kean in an op-ed piece written during the 1997 gubernatorial campaign
"If we bring this awful system with us into the 21st century, I have no doubt that it would seriously endanger our ability to make sure New Jersey offers our children as good a life as it's given us." Gov. James J. Florio in his final State of the State address in 1994
"New Jersey's antiquated tax structure must be reformed. By relying so heavily on the local property tax, we force on the homeowner and the small businessman an unfair share of the cost of public services.” Gov. Richard J. Hughes in his final state-of-the-state address in 1970
"A large factor that must enter into our service plans is the increasing tax pressures of our municipalities as they are reflected in the general property tax levies on real estate, improvements and tangible personal property ... It is common knowledge throughout the State that taxes such as these cannot go much higher, and still the need for additional funds for local services is acute.” Gov. Alfred E. Driscoll in his 1947 inaugural address
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