FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Senator Christopher J. Connors
Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf
Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove

Contact: (609) 693-6700
Date: January 20, 2016
REL—3735
 

CONNORS, RUMPF AND GOVE: REPEAL THE DEATH TAX
 

9th Legislative District:  Remarking on Governor Christie’s State of the State address, Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove echoed support for repealing New Jersey’s Estate Tax, commonly referred to as the “Death Tax.”

The 9th District Legislative Delegation has placed its support behind legislative initiatives that would repeal New Jersey’s Inheritance Tax and Estate Tax.  Connors, Rumpf and Gove issued a joint statement following the

Governor’s address:
 

“Repeal of both the Inheritance and Estate taxes is desperately needed to stop the exodus of residents and wealth from New Jersey to states with more reasonable and affordable taxes.
 

New Jersey and Maryland have the dubious distinction of being the only two states with both taxes, while a number of states have neither tax.
 
“Seniors can’t help but feel they’re specifically targeted by these taxes.  To protect whatever nest egg that they have saved to pass on to their family, many seniors are forced to flee the state which often means being separated from loved ones and their home.
 

“Imposing both an Inheritance Tax and the Estate Tax is a glaring and harsh example of New Jersey’s extreme and, ultimately, self-defeating tax structure.  The State Legislature should act quickly considering how resentful residents are of the Inheritance Tax and the Estate Tax and the fact that businesses consistently identify both taxes as impediments to economic growth.

“Certainly, we recognize the state is facing severe fiscal challenges.  However, we remain convinced that the repeal of the Inheritance Tax and the Estate Tax will strengthen the state’s economy and, thus, improve revenues by keeping wealth in the state.”
 
HTTP://DISTRICT9.SENATENJ.COM/
 

December 10, 2015

STATE INVESTIGATING TOWNS FOR VIOLATING STATE PROPERTY TAX LAWS

 
9th Legislative District: Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove remarked on the New Jersey Department of Treasury’s announcement that it will be conducting an investigation into municipalities which have been found to be “dramatically out of compliance” with required property tax assessments.

“For decades, three municipalities in our state have been playing by their own set of rules by refusing to perform property reassessments while the rest of us have been required to pay their property taxes based on the current value of their homes.

“Property assessments and revaluations are politically unpopular and dreaded by both taxpayers and local officials.  Neither wants to see property tax increases for homeowners.  Moreover, the costs of performing the assessments can be expensive and the process arduous.  Municipalities in our Legislative District such as Little Egg Harbor, Lacey, Barnegat and Galloway have all gone through this difficult process over the last several years.
 

“While the overwhelming majority of municipalities have lived up to their constitutional and statutory obligations, the State Department of Treasury recently exposed Jersey City, Elizabeth and Dunellen as having failed to uniformly and fairly assess properties.  According to the Department, Jersey City has not conducted a revaluation or reassessment in 27 years; Elizabeth has not updated its assessments in 39 years; and Dunellen has not conducted a revaluation or reassessment in 33 years.
 

“This blatant disregard for both the law and the basic principle of fairness in taxation is indefensible and serves only to further undermine the people’s confidence in the state’s system of property taxation.  Taxpayers living in municipalities that have regular assessments and revaluations have every right to be outraged by this.
 

“Why should taxpayers whose assessments are up-to-date pay more while privileged taxpayers living in Jersey City, Elizabeth and Dunellen get away with paying less?  Why have these municipalities been given a free pass for so long?  What incentive is there for other municipalities to comply with property tax assessment requirements?
 

“Jersey City and Elizabeth are special needs districts, formerly known as Abbotts, and thus are recipients of a windfall of State education aid. Evidently, neither feels obligated to comply with the state’s property tax assessment laws.  But, apparently, that hasn’t stopped these municipalities from feeling entitled to the tax dollars of residents living in other municipalities.
 

“Under the State’s broken and politically-driven school funding formula, large numbers of taxpayers living in suburban and rural areas are forced to subsidize special needs school districts, even if these residents can’t even afford to pay the taxes for their own local schools.  So not only are Jersey City and Elizabeth making out by ignoring property tax assessments, but they are also cashing in when it comes to state education aid.
 

“An investigation is being opened by the state into the lack of compliance by Jersey City, Elizabeth and Dunellen. Certainly, the rights of taxpayers who are in compliance with the law should be respected.  Let’s see where the investigation goes.”

 
HTTP://DISTRICT9.SENATENJ.COM/