State Senator Gerald Cardinale

CARDINALE: ACT NOW ON PROPERTY TAX REFORM
Real, Meaningful Solutions Need to Be Debated

Senator Gerald Cardinale, (R-39), a member of the Joint Legislative Committee on Public School Funding Reform issued the following statement regarding the direction of the Committee after the first month of meetings.
Senator Gerald Cardinale, (R-39), a member of the Joint Legislative Committee on Public School Funding Reform issued the following statement regarding the direction of the Committee after the first month of meetings.

Unfortunately for the property taxpayers of New Jersey the Special Committees on property tax reform seem to have relapsed into yet another ad-hoc, blue ribbon, distinguished study commission. It is time to open the public debate on solutions, not hear yet another lecture by eminent and learned guests on the effect of state and federal mandates. The fact that we are even discussing federal mandates, that we can do nothing about, is nothing but a waste of time. This format seems designed to protect the special interests who are at the root of high spending which causes high taxes.

Several proposed solutions, from both sides of the aisle, that were discussed during opening statements have yet to receive any consideration from this committee. Neither I nor any member of the education community, to the best of my knowledge, have been involved thus far in the development of what perhaps is the most important topic that will come before this Committee, an improved school funding formula that provides relief to over burdened suburban property tax payers.

“n a written statement Chairman Adler indicated that the Committee would release a final draft of the school funding formula by late October. It is already mid-September and time is running out to ensure that all viewpoints are sought out and included in the final version of the school funding formula. The worst possible outcome would be for the Committee to impose a school funding formula upon the property taxpayers of the state without taking the time required to protect the interests of all the citizens of New Jersey.

We need to hear from experts who can suggest ways to get better educational outcomes from the enormous sum of money we spend. We must realign our priorities so that taxes can be reduced for all of our state’s residents.