State of New Jersey secondary Archives: on Tax Reform
Barbara Buono:
Increase top tax rate to reduce property taxes
Excerpts from legislation: Increases the top tax rate contingent on enactment of homestead benefit legislation. A new top marginal rate is set at 10.75% for earning over $1,000,000 (an increase from 8.97% for those earning over $500,000);
lower brackets maintain the same rates. The purpose of the bill is to fund an enhanced homestead benefit, to temper the regressivity of the property tax for the bulk of NJ's property taxpayers.Excerpts from veto message: I will not
permit the State to succumb to the legislature's enduring addiction to profligate taxing and spending. I also have vetoed AB 3029, which would have increased the Earned Income Tax Credit to provide relief to only a subset of NJ's taxpayers. All of our
taxpayers are already subject to one of the nation's highest state income tax rates. Instead, we should be lowering taxes for all New Jerseyans.
Legislative outcome:Buono voted YEA; passed House 47-31-2 & Senate 24-16-0; Governor vetoed.
Source: New Jersey legislative voting records: A 3201
Jun 28, 2012
Bob Hugin:
Opposes new $10K cap on deductions for state & local taxes
On Tuesday, Hugin also briefly addressed the controversial GOP tax reform law, saying it "has some very good things for the American economy," but also "some very bad things for
New Jerseyans," due to its $10,000 cap on deductions for state and local taxes.
Source: Burlington County Times on 2018 New Jersey Senate race
Feb 13, 2018
Bob Hugin:
Trump tax cuts delivered real relief & job creation
Q: Support President Trump's proposed tax cuts?Robert Hugin (R): Yes. Delivers "real relief" & will spur economic growth & job creation. But would reverse state tax deduction cap.
Robert Menendez (D): No. "Cannot & will not support a tax bill that reads like one giant hit job on New Jersey's middle class."
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on New Jersey Senate race
Oct 9, 2018
Chris Christie:
I will veto any income tax increases that come before me
Now, I know that many of you in this room believe that income tax increases are the way to go. So yes, sometimes we will simply have to disagree.I have vetoed four income tax increases passed by this body. And make no mistake:
I will veto any more income tax increases that come before me. And I will do it for one simple reason--the higher our taxes are, the fewer people and businesses will come to New Jersey and the more who will consider leaving.
Raising taxes is the old Trenton way, and it didn't work. Taxes were raised 115 times in the eight years before 2010. People and businesses in turn didn't support them and left our state. Between 2004 and 2008 the departure of wealth, investment,
and income was staggering--some $70 billion left the state. We have begun a new direction and we need to go further, not reverse course.
Source: State of the State address to 2015 New Jersey Legislature
Jan 13, 2015
Chris Christie:
Abolish the estate tax to incentivize people to stay in NJ
Right now, New Jersey imposes an estate and inheritance tax. 14 states currently have estate taxes, and 6 have inheritance taxes. But only New Jersey and Maryland have both and we also have the lowest exemption threshold in the country.
I aim to abolish the Estate Tax because it penalizes the next generation and harms the long-term economic future. Our tax structure incentivizes people to move to other states as they age--and when they do, to take their businesses and capital with them.
Source: 2016 State of the State speech to New Jersey legislature
Jan 12, 2016
Chris Christie:
No relief to subset of taxpayers; all need relief
Excerpts from legislation: Increases the top tax rate contingent on enactment of homestead benefit legislation. A new top marginal rate is set at 10.75% for earning over $1,000,000 (an increase from 8.97% for those earning over $500,000);
lower brackets maintain the same rates. The purpose of the bill is to fund an enhanced homestead benefit, to temper the regressivity of the property tax for the bulk of NJ's property taxpayers.Excerpts from veto message: I will not
permit the State to succumb to the legislature's enduring addiction to profligate taxing and spending. I also have vetoed AB 3029, which would have increased the Earned Income Tax Credit to provide relief to only a subset of NJ's taxpayers. All of our
taxpayers are already subject to one of the nation's highest state income tax rates. Instead, we should be lowering taxes for all New Jerseyans.
Legislative outcome: Passed House 47-31-2; passed Senate 24-16-0; Vetoed by Governor
Source: New Jersey legislative voting records: A 3201
Jul 30, 2012
Donny DiFrancesco:
Limit inheritance taxes
DiFrancesco was the prime sponsor on the following bills in the 2000-2001 NJ congressional session:- S595: Exempts siblings of the decedent from transfer inheritance taxes.
Source: New Jersey congressional voting records
Dec 25, 2000
Donny DiFrancesco:
End the marriage tax
DiFrancesco was the prime sponsor on the following bills in the 2000-2001 NJ congressional session:- SR33: Memorializes Congress to enact H.R. 6, the “Marriage Tax Penalty Relief Act of 2000.”
Source: New Jersey congressional voting records
Dec 25, 2000
Donny DiFrancesco:
High property taxes obstruct high quality of life
One way government works for people is by removing obstacles to a better quality of life. For many New Jerseyans-from the young couple starting out to the senior citizens striving to remain in their homes-there is no greater obstacle than high property
taxes. I have a plan for easing this burden. I ask my colleagues in both houses to join me in enacting Property Tax Relief Now. Returning excess surplus to the taxpayers is the right thing to do. It is relief they need. It is relief they deserve.
Source: Address To The People of New Jersey as Acting Governor
Feb 5, 2001
Hirsh Singh:
End the inheritance tax, the gas tax, and property tax hikes
We plan to lower taxes to let you keep more of what you earn and bring jobs back to New Jersey.
Our tax plan includes:- Freeze property tax hikes and work on implementing a cap on the property tax at a maximum of 75% above the national average to bring down current rates across the state and prevent a slow creep to unsustainable levels.
-
Abolish the inheritance tax, which affects more people than the estate tax, and is one of the highest in the nation at 16%.
-
Repeal the $.23 gas tax and work to reduce government spending.
- Work on minimizing taxes for small and midsized businesses.
Source: Ballotpedia.org Connection: 2020 New Jersey Senate race
Nov 1, 2017
Hirsh Singh:
Lower corporate tax to 15%, reduce capital gains tax to 10%
- We need a simpler, more equitable tax system to ensure the economy grows at 4% or higher.
- We need a second round of tax cuts. I will fight to:
- Lower the corporate tax to a flat 15%
- Cut the number of tax brackets from seven to three
-
End corporate loopholes that allow some companies to pay no federal taxes
- Repeal the death tax entirely
- Reduce long-term capital gains taxes to a flat 10%
- Reinstate deductions for state and local taxes
Source: 2020 New Jersey Senate website HirshSingh.com
Feb 5, 2020
Hirsh Singh:
Higher tax burdens are counterproductive
What is the Democrat's default response to New Jersey's financial crisis? Raise property taxes! Raise fuel taxes! Raise income taxes! Raise sales taxes! When will enough be enough?New Jersey's gas tax has lost much of its revenue productivity.
The evidence is incontrovertible; not only are such tax burdens counterproductive, but even with the extra revenue Democrats will still find a way to waste it faster than they can take it from you. Your money is best spent by you, not the government.
Source: 2020 New Jersey Senate campaign website HirshSingh.com
Jun 11, 2020
Jack Ciattarelli:
No increase in top tax rate to reduce property taxes
Excerpts from legislation: Increases the top tax rate contingent on enactment of homestead benefit legislation. A new top marginal rate is set at 10.75% for earning over $1,000,000 (an increase from 8.97% for those earning over $500,000);
lower brackets maintain the same rates. The purpose of the bill is to fund an enhanced homestead benefit, to temper the regressivity of the property tax for the bulk of NJ's property taxpayers.Excerpts from veto message: I will not
permit the State to succumb to the legislature's enduring addiction to profligate taxing and spending. I also have vetoed AB 3029, which would have increased the Earned Income Tax Credit to provide relief to only a subset of NJ's taxpayers. All of our
taxpayers are already subject to one of the nation's highest state income tax rates. Instead, we should be lowering taxes for all New Jerseyans.
Legislative outcome:Ciattarelli voted NAY; passed House 47-31-2 & Senate 24-16-0; Vetoed.
Source: New Jersey legislative voting records: A 3201
Jun 25, 2012
Jack Ciattarelli:
School funding formula is root of property tax growth
During his 2017 GOP primary campaign for governor, in which he proposed a comprehensive property tax reform plan. Unlike other property tax relief plans of candidates down through the years, which merely involved sleight of hand increases in state taxes
to finance cash rebates, Ciattarelli went to the heart of the matter by proposing extensive revision of the state education funding formula, the root cause of our escalating property taxes.
Source: InsiderNJ.com on 2021 New Jersey gubernatorial race
Apr 9, 2019
Jack Ciattarelli:
Top priorities: lower property tax, reform state tax code
Ciattarelli said he would call for a constitutional convention to update how public education and affordable housing are funded. And if he does not get along with the Legislature--which has been led by Democrats for two decades--
Ciattarelli said, he would push for referendums to let voters decide key issues. His top priorities would be lowering property taxes, reforming the state's tax code, rolling back "burdensome" regulations, limiting waste and streamlining government.
Source: Bergen Record on 2021 New Jersey gubernatorial race
Jan 21, 2020
Jack Ciattarelli:
Contract with NJ GOP: lower taxes, cut spending, reduce debt
Ciattarelli's "Contract with New Jersey Republicans" promises to: ESTABLISH A NEW JERSEY REPUBLICAN BRAND that offers concrete solutions to lower taxes, cut spending, reduce debt, create jobs, provide
educational choice, make healthcare more affordable, and protect individual freedoms, while expanding our party to reflect the diversity of our state. Under my leadership, we will proudly be the Party of Lincoln in every way and compete for every vote.
Source: The Ridgewood Blog on 2021 New Jersey Gubernatorial race
Mar 10, 2021
Jeff Bell:
Convinced Pres. Reagan to adopt radical tax-rate reductions
Many Reaganauts credit Bell with convincing Reagan to adopt a proposal for radical tax-rate reductions as he prepared to run for president in 1980, a policy endorsed by a cult-like circle of supply-side enthusiasts and condemned as insane by
right-thinkers of both parties. After Reagan won, Congress passed the tax cuts with bipartisan, if grudging, support. Marginal rates on income fell by one-third, and the course of the American economy was forever altered.
Source: Weekly Standard on 2014 New Jersey Senate race
Sep 1, 2013
Jim McGreevey:
Pay down debt; less taxes on seniors
- Pay down the state debt--to save tax payers billions in the future--with dedicated funds for debt reduction.
- Create permanent tax relief for seniors by ending fiscal gimmicks.
- Ease the burden of providing home health care for an elderly parent with tax incentives and increased respite care.
Source: Workprint for New Jersey
Jun 25, 2001
Joe Kyrillos:
No increase in top tax rate to reduce property taxes
Excerpts from legislation: Increases the top tax rate contingent on enactment of homestead benefit legislation. A new top marginal rate is set at 10.75% for earning over $1,000,000 (an increase from 8.97% for those earning over $500,000);
lower brackets maintain the same rates. The purpose of the bill is to fund an enhanced homestead benefit, to temper the regressivity of the property tax for the bulk of NJ's property taxpayers.Excerpts from veto message: I will not
permit the State to succumb to the legislature's enduring addiction to profligate taxing and spending. I also have vetoed AB 3029, which would have increased the Earned Income Tax Credit to provide relief to only a subset of NJ's taxpayers. All of our
taxpayers are already subject to one of the nation's highest state income tax rates. Instead, we should be lowering taxes for all New Jerseyans.
Legislative outcome:Kyrillos voted NAY; passed House 47-31-2 & Senate 24-16-0; Vetoed by Gov.
Source: New Jersey legislative voting records: A 3201
Jun 28, 2012
Joe Rullo:
Reduce property taxes; repeal gas tax; veto new taxes
As Governor I will reduce property taxes, repeal the $.23 gas tax, dissolve the transportation SLUSH fund, Veto all tax increases, cut billions in political earmarked jobs and contracts, eliminate state income taxes on pensions for retirees and add
$1 billion in new revenue sources to further lower taxes. I will dissolve the Transportation Trust Fund and consolidate all highway authorities eliminating redundant high level management positions, eliminate high cost earmark
& specialty contracts tied to contributors.. It will produce millions in savings with shared services and purchases.And will work to also eliminate municipal tax assessors to one per county.
I will fire hundreds of high-salary patronage jobs like indicted Port Authority's David Wildstein, as an example, saving hundreds of millions of dollars to cut taxes.
Source: 2017 New Jersey Gubernatorial campaign website Rullo2017.com
Jan 17, 2017
John Wisniewski:
Increase top tax rate to reduce property taxes
Excerpts from legislation: Increases the top tax rate contingent on enactment of homestead benefit legislation. A new top marginal rate is set at 10.75% for earning over $1,000,000 (an increase from 8.97% for those earning over $500,000);
lower brackets maintain the same rates. The purpose of the bill is to fund an enhanced homestead benefit, to temper the regressivity of the property tax for the bulk of NJ's property taxpayers.Excerpts from veto message: I will not
permit the State to succumb to the legislature's enduring addiction to profligate taxing and spending. I also have vetoed AB 3029, which would have increased the Earned Income Tax Credit to provide relief to only a subset of NJ's taxpayers. All of our
taxpayers are already subject to one of the nation's highest state income tax rates. Instead, we should be lowering taxes for all New Jerseyans.
Legislative outcome:Wisniewski voted YEA; passed House 47-31-2 & Senate 24-16-0; Gov. vetoed.
Source: New Jersey legislative voting records: A 3201
Jun 25, 2012
Josh Gottheimer:
Comprehensive reform to lower rates & close loopholes
In Congress, I will work across the aisle to pass comprehensive tax reform, like President Ronald Reagan and Speaker Tip O'Neill did in 1986, so we can lower tax rates, close loopholes, and cut out out-of-date regulations. We need to eliminate
incentives for moving headquarters, jobs and production overseas, shrink our deficits, and reduce our debt. We also need to fix the tax code.When you add up our local, property, state, and federal taxes, one thing is clear: Our tax code is a mess and
it's crushing our residents and pushing dozens of businesses out of our state--taking jobs and dollars with them. We have the third highest corporate tax rate in the world; twice as many US companies have moved overseas to escape our high taxes in the
last ten years than in the twenty years prior.
I want to keep dollars with our citizens and companies, not the IRS. But until we cut our taxes altogether, we must fight to bring more of the tax dollars we send to Washington back to New Jersey.
Source: 2016 New Jersey House campaign website josh4congress.com
Nov 8, 2016
Kim Guadagno:
High state property taxes drive businesses to other states
NJ's highest-in-the-nation property taxes are the leading reason so many of our neighbors & friends are choosing to leave our state and move to places like PA, TX, and NC. If we are going to create a better future in NJ, we must start by making it more
affordable for families to live here and businesses to thrive here.Despite a 2% cap on property tax increases at the local level, New Jerseyans saw an average increase of 2.4% last year. Our state's property tax crisis also has a profoundly negative
impact on our state's small and medium-sized businesses and our ability to recruit new jobs to the Garden State. Simply put: we cannot continue to ask New Jerseyans to work harder, longer just to pay more in property tax bills while the political class
in Trenton digs their heads in the sand.
This decades-long problem requires our leaders at the state, county & local levels to adopt a holistic strategy that finally provides middle class families and small businesses much needed property tax relief.
Source: 2017 New Jersey gubernatorial campaign website
Feb 3, 2017
Kim Guadagno:
Veto new tax increases
Over the past 7 years as lieutenant governor, Kim has kept her promise to oppose any new tax increase on New Jerseyans. She campaigned against the backroom deal to raise the gas tax by
23-cents a gallon and as governor, Kim will continue to stand up for New Jersey taxpayers by vetoing any "knee-jerk" tax increase proposal passed by the legislature to pay for unnecessary spending.
Source: 2017 New Jersey Gubernatorial website KimForNJ.com
Sep 1, 2017
Phil Murphy:
Stronger & fairer funding instead of massive tax breaks
A stronger and fairer New Jersey funds its public schools and delivers on the promise of property tax relief; makes a four-year college more affordable and provides free access
to community college; and creates new training programs to prepare our residents for jobs in an innovation-driven economy.
A stronger and fairer New Jersey creates tools for small businesses--and women, veteran, and minority-owned businesses--to thrive, instead of delivering massive tax breaks to a handful of select and connected big
corporations that don't need them in the first place.
A stronger and fairer New Jersey ensures the wealthiest among us pay their fair share in taxes so working and middle-class families can keep more of their hard earned money.
Source: 2018 New Jersey Inauguration/State of the State speech
Jan 16, 2018
Phil Murphy:
Not giving up the fight for a millionaire's tax
I am going to fight for the middle-class values that built New Jersey in the first place. It's why I am not giving up the fight for a millionaire's tax, so we can ease the property tax burden on millions of middle-class families and seniors and do more
to help our public schools. Overwhelming majorities of residents--of all political stripes--support this. We should, too. The millionaires and corporate CEOs made out just fine in the last recession--and they will again when the next one hits.
Source: 2020 New Jersey State of the State address
Jan 14, 2020
Phil Murphy:
Greater tax fairness, cuts for middle, families, seniors
We inherited a state that worked for too few and which was at a crossroads. We chose to move the state in a new direction. We are moving New Jersey forward. Today, New Jersey is working again for the many, not the few. We have greater tax fairness.
We've cut taxes for our middle-class and working families, and our seniors, fourteen times. And I commit to you now that the state budget I propose in a few weeks won't raise taxes.
Source: 2022 State of the State Address to New Jersey legislature
Jan 11, 2022
Phil Murphy:
State school funding is property tax relief
We invested $3 billion more in our public schools across our first four years than the prior administration did across its last four. This year we are investing $1.5 billion more in pre-K-through-12 education than in the year I took office. We are
doing this not just because our kids deserve it but because our property taxpayers do, too. School funding is property tax relief.Every single one of these dollars we as a state have invested is a dollar kept in the pockets of property taxpayers.
Source: 2022 State of the State Address to New Jersey legislature
Jan 11, 2022
Ray Lesniak:
Lower taxes to promote economic growth
Q: Do you support government spending as a means of promoting economic growth?A: Yes.
Q: Do you support lowering taxes as a means of promoting economic growth?
A: Yes.
Q: Do you support reducing government regulations on the private sector?
A: No.
Q: Do you support expanding access to unemployment benefits?
A: Yes.
Q: Do you support a tax on short-term housing rentals in New Jersey?
A: No.
Lesniak adds, "Many of these questions require more than a yes or no response."
Source: Vote Smart 2017-2018 New Jersey Political Courage Test
Nov 1, 2017
Richard Codey:
Increase top tax rate to reduce property taxes
Excerpts from legislation: Increases the top tax rate contingent on enactment of homestead benefit legislation. A new top marginal rate is set at 10.75% for earning over $1,000,000 (an increase from 8.97% for those earning over $500,000);
lower brackets maintain the same rates. The purpose of the bill is to fund an enhanced homestead benefit, to temper the regressivity of the property tax for the bulk of NJ's property taxpayers.Excerpts from veto message: I will not
permit the State to succumb to the legislature's enduring addiction to profligate taxing and spending. I also have vetoed AB 3029, which would have increased the Earned Income Tax Credit to provide relief to only a subset of NJ's taxpayers. All of our
taxpayers are already subject to one of the nation's highest state income tax rates. Instead, we should be lowering taxes for all New Jerseyans.
Legislative outcome:Codey voted YEA; passed House 47-31-2 & Senate 24-16-0; Governor vetoed.
Source: New Jersey legislative voting records: A 3201
Jun 28, 2012
Robert Menendez:
Trump tax cuts was giant hit job on middle class
Q: Support President Trump's proposed tax cuts?Robert Hugin (R): Yes. Delivers "real relief" & will spur economic growth & job creation. But would reverse state tax deduction cap.
Robert Menendez (D): No. "Cannot & will not support a tax bill that reads like one giant hit job on New Jersey's middle class."
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on New Jersey Senate race
Oct 9, 2018
Steve Fulop:
No municipal tax increase for third year in a row
Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli, R-Somerville, is taking aim at Mayor Steve Fulop, saying the city's flat tax rate demonstrates the need for school funding reform statewide. At issue is an email Fulop's campaign sent to supporters yesterday about the 2016
city budget, which comes for the third year in a row with no municipal tax increase. Flat taxes are proof the Fulop administration can "make government work well," the Democratic mayor said in the email.Assemblyman Ciattarelli linked Fulop's crowing
about the city budget to the heavy subsidies Jersey City's public schools receive from state taxpayers. The school district in 2016-17 will receive $420 million in state aid for its $673 million annual budget; Jersey City schools have been under state
control for the last 30 years. "The mayor's boasts, which only add insult to injury to taxpayers across the state, call attention to just how terribly flawed and blatantly unfair the current distribution of state school aid is," Ciattarelli said.
Source: Newark Star Ledger on 2017 New Jersey Gubernatorial race
Jul 22, 2016
Steve Fulop:
We make government work well with no municipal tax increase
A Republican lawmaker is taking aim at Mayor Steve Fulop, saying the mayor's recent boast about the city's tax rate demonstrates the need for school funding reform statewide. At issue is an email Fulop's campaign sent to supporters yesterday about the
2016 city budget, which comes for the third year in a row with no municipal tax increase. Flat taxes are proof the Fulop administration can "make government work well," the Democratic mayor said in the email.Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli,
R-Somerville, linked Fulop's crowing about the city budget to the heavy subsidies Jersey City's public schools receive from state taxpayers. The school district in 2016-17 will receive $420 million in state aid for its $673 million annual budget, a
fact that irks Republican and even some suburban Democratic lawmakers statewide.
Gov. Chris Christie (R) and Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D) have both said they want to change the distribution of state aid to schools across New Jersey.
Source: Newark Star Ledger on 2017 New Jersey gubernatorial race
Jul 22, 2016
Stuart Meissner:
Remove cap on federal deductions for local taxes
One quibble Meissner has with Trump is over the 2017 tax bill that capped the state's so-called SALT deduction at $10,000. Like many state politicians from both parties, Meissner wants to do away with the cap.
And he suggests that one reason it came about was because there were not enough Republicans representing impacted states like New Jersey to negotiate a better deal.
Source: InsiderNJ.com on 2020 New Jersey Senate race
Dec 12, 2019
Stuart Meissner:
Raise property tax deduction to $20,000
Regarding Trump's legislation limiting property tax deductions to $10,000, Meissner was against it. However, he placed the blame for its passage on Booker, saying "For all his talk of reaching across the aisle, when it came to it he actually burned
the aisle." He claimed that because of Booker's animosity towards Trump, the bill went through. "We didn't have a voice." Meissner wants the deductible raised to $20,000.
Source: Jewish Link NJ e-zine on 2020 New Jersey Senate race
Jan 22, 2020
Thomas Kean Jr.:
No increase in top tax rate to reduce property taxes
Excerpts from legislation: Increases the top tax rate contingent on enactment of homestead benefit legislation. A new top marginal rate is set at 10.75% for earning over $1,000,000 (an increase from 8.97% for those earning over $500,000);
lower brackets maintain the same rates. The purpose of the bill is to fund an enhanced homestead benefit, to temper the regressivity of the property tax for the bulk of NJ's property taxpayers.Excerpts from veto message: I will not
permit the State to succumb to the legislature's enduring addiction to profligate taxing and spending. I also have vetoed AB 3029, which would have increased the Earned Income Tax Credit to provide relief to only a subset of NJ's taxpayers. All of our
taxpayers are already subject to one of the nation's highest state income tax rates. Instead, we should be lowering taxes for all New Jerseyans.
Legislative outcome:Kean voted NAY; passed House 47-31-2 & Senate 24-16-0; Vetoed by Governor
Source: New Jersey legislative voting records: A 3201
Jun 28, 2012
Page last updated: Feb 18, 2023