As I reported last month, New Jersey Assembly Speaker Craig J. Coughlin has proposed a new tax “cut” he calls “StayNJ” which would, he says, “effectively cut most seniors’ property taxes in half.” (emphasis added) Once the details were revealed, we learned (surpise!) that it is not a tax cut at all, but another rebate scheme, no doubt intended to assure Democratic victories in November’s legislative elections.
The Star-Ledger/NJ.com extoll the importance of journalism and seek ever more of their readers’ money, but I wish they (and all journalists) did a better job of reporting facts and useful analysis, rather than rank opinion.((See, for example, my comments in Ruminations on Voting.)) It seems to me that they would better serve their readers by reporting on the details of the plan as it moves through the Legislature instead of concentrating their efforts on the conflict between the Democratic legislators and Governor Murphy, who is said to be ready to shut down the state if StayNJ is part of the budget. As usual, the reporting emphasizes the conflict of personalities over the issues.
One of the details that have been reported is the fact that StayNJ will not take effect until January 1, 2025. What is not explained is why it is part of the 2023-2024 budget (other than to seek votes for Democrats).
Jay Bohn
June 15, 2023