School Tax Cap Increase

Taxpayers: Forever finding themselves on the wrong end of the bill!

The one saving grace in this over taxed state was the 2% cap put in place in 2010 by Chris Christie, during his tenure as the Governor of New Jersey. This 2% cap was part of his broader efforts to address the state's fiscal challenges and control property taxes, which are still among the highest in the nation. The cap limited the amount school districts could increase property taxes annually without seeking voter approval through a special election.

In a typical move of the Democrats of New Jersey, this week Bill A4161 was passed in the assembly (52-20 margin) to remove the need for voter approval for districts that had a decrease in state aid at any time over the past 5 years. Which is most districts in the suburbs of NJ.

After pressure from the NJEA, the Principals & Supervisors, and the School Board Association the Democrats handing the blank check off. School will be able to increase their budgets by up to 9.9% per year without needing any taxpayer approval.

So, let us put this in perspective. If your taxes are $10,000 a year today. Next year they could be $10,990. 2026 would be $12,078. 2027 would be $13,273. 2028 would be $14,587.

This is the latest demonstration of our representatives not caring about the taxpayers and their families. They will continue to dump good money after bad into New Jersey’s failing school system to be sure to get their donations from the NJEA.

We still have yet to see any movement from the legislature on school choice. Parents in the big cities as well as rural areas have been begging for the option to get their children into better schools. When there is a free market and competition everything is better, why not for education? We know why.