April 17, 2010

http://www.courierpostonline.com/article/20100417/OPINION/4170309/1047/opinion

Before last year's gubernatorial election, people would tell me they planned to vote for Chris Christie because of New Jersey's high property taxes. I tried to explain to them that Christie, a Republican, was likely to cut government spending, including funding for education.

This in turn would lead municipalities to increase spending -- and, therefore, raise local property taxes. A vote for Christie, I argued, would therefore be a vote for higher property taxes. "Oh, no," people would say. "New Jersey is too expensive and it's all Gov. Jon Corzine's fault."

Well, Christie has been in office about three months and guess what? He has proposed some of the largest cuts to primary (and higher) education in our state's history. This will wreak havoc on local school districts, which must either make up for the cuts somehow or lay off teachers, thereby reducing the quality of education.

And property taxes? Well, Christie has suspended the property tax rebate program, which will effectively cause a net increase in property taxes paid by New Jersey residents.

I knew Christie's policies would result in higher property taxes for New Jerseyans. I just didn't think it would happen so quickly.

EDDIE KONCZAL

Monroe