NJ Lawmakers Set Stage For Talk on Higher Taxes

The scene is set for lawmakers to discuss raising taxes in the next session of the New Jersey Legislature.

Democratic and Republican lawmakers on Thursday sketched the coming session, which is expected to begin in January, saying the state must address its ailing transportation trust fund, high property taxes and the public pension system.

The statehouse news conferences came days after the Democratic Party picked up at least three new seats in the Assembly. A Democrat is leading in a fourth seat where ballots are being tabulated and a recount may be possible.

But few details were fleshed out Thursday, and Republicans called on Democrats to lead the way since they won the election.

“What’s your plan?” Assembly Minority Leader Jon Bramnick asked.

What seems clear is the potential for a confrontation over raising taxes, which Democrats have said may be necessary but that Republicans including Gov. Chris Christie will consider only if net surcharges do not go up.

“We need revenues in the state of New Jersey,” Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto said. “If anybody knows me by now, I’m very straightforward and I’m very blunt in the things that I say. It gets tougher as every year goes by.”

Christie said recently Republicans should not support any tax increases unless other taxes are lowered.

Prieto criticized that approach.

“You can’t have something that’s revenue neutral,” he said. “How are you going to fix the roads and then take the money from somewhere else? That is a ridiculous statement.”

Thursday also saw legislators re-elect leaders for the new session. Prieto was reelected speaker, while Bramnick and Senate Minority Leader Tom Kean were selected as top Republicans again. Senate President Steve Sweeney was chosen to lead his chamber again next year.

This article appeared in print on page 6 of the November 6th, 2015 edition of Hamodia.