TRENTON – The Legislature’s unprecedented special session on property tax reform will begin in earnest Friday with the initial organizational meeting of the Joint Legislative Committee on Constitutional Reform and Citizens’ Property Tax Constitutional Convention.
The joint committee will meet at noon on Friday, August 4, in Committee Room 4, State House Annex, West State Street, Trenton.
“Asking voters to change the state Constitution to make needed taxation fairer is such serious business that it should transcend routine political rhetoric,” said Senator Bernard Kenny (D-Hudson), a committee co-chairman. “This is a profound opportunity to help improve the lives of those who sent us here to serve their needs and to respect their hard-earned dollars. Hopefully, this first engagement can set the tone and lay the groundwork for positive, lasting reform.”
“This panel has a golden opportunity to ensure that true property tax reform is made permanent,” said Assemblyman John Burzichelli (D-Gloucester), the other co-chairman. “New Jerseyans want a more secure future for their families. Lasting reforms can be achieved for our residents, but only if we are willing to put politics aside and look at the constitutional issues from all angles.”
The bicameral, bipartisan panel is tasked with addressing property tax issues that may require constitutional remedies and lay the groundwork for a potential citizens’ convention that could be put to the voters on the November 2007 ballot.
The committee’s memberships also includes Senate Minority Leader Leonard Lance (R-Hunterdon/Warren), Senator Fred Madden (D-Camden/Gloucester), and Assemblymen Louis Manzo (D-Hudson) and Richard Merkt (R-Morris).