TRENTON – The Senate unanimously approved legislation today sponsored by Senator Nia H. Gill that would increase transparency with regard to how libraries are funded.
The measure (S-2068) would create a dedicated line item on residents’ property tax bills showing the amount they pay to support their local library, just as tax bills include a line item displaying the amount homeowners pay to fund county libraries.
The bill would not amend the funding formula for municipal and joint public libraries, which are funded at one-third of a mill on every dollar of assessable property, which would be 33 cents per $1,000 of assessable property.
“The value residents get from community libraries is enormous,” said Senator Gill (D-Essex). To give an example, a resident with a home assessed at $200,000 pays about $5 a month for access to an array of resources in their public library. From the ability to borrow books, to free access to the Internet, I believe once taxpayers see the portion they pay in writing, they’ll agree it is a sound investment that is worth their support.”
The legislation passed the full Senate by a vote of 40-0. It now heads to the Assembly for consideration.
