New Jersey Budget Deal Reached

NBC 10, Philadelphia NBC affiliate ^ | 7/6/2006 | NBC 10

[VeritatisSplendor]

Whitman didn't give us liberal, legislating, budget-busting judges? I'd rather have plain Democrats than Democrats in Republican clothing.

Mrs VS

[Fresh Wind]

Tax relief for rich property owners. More taxes for the poor. Isn't this what the DemocRats always claim the Republicans do?

[cva66snipe]

Whitman didn't give us liberal, legislating, budget-busting judges? I'd rather have plain Democrats than Democrats in Republican clothing.

Chrissie and her good friend Suzie helped give us all Bill Clinton as if Bob Dole couldn't have done it all by himself.

[dynachrome]

"many are still UNDER assessed"
Dunno about that, but in Colorado if the assesment doesn't go up then taxes are raised.( We get to vote on it, but it is always "for the children") If taxes don't go up, then the assessment is raised. Property taxes go up either way.

[Calpernia]

>>>How much you wanna bet it's not all going for property tax rebates next year...

And it is not. You only qualify for a rebate if you make a certain amount of money.

[Calpernia]

bumping that

[randita]

and the budget didn't get cut, and the deficit increases, and the pension gravy train rolls on...

And the masses keep rolling into Pike County, PA, spoiling a once peaceful, scenic spot formerly known as the Pocono Mountains.

[Williams]

No, I'd rather have a republican governor who absolutely cut taxes, against all odds. You will never get that from a democrat. Plus I have zero desire to help John Corzine become president. God forbid.

[randita]

Typical Dems, raise the sales tax which is regressive and give the taxes back to property owners.

When the votes are all made public, you will probably be surprised at how many Republicans voted for the Corzine sales tax increase. Republicans were getting hammered by their constituents who owned small businesses that sell lottery tickets and who relied on the casino industry for income.

[oceanview]

for the NJEA. the main component of the property tax, is for schools. if citizens felt the full impact of their school taxes, they would be more likely to vote down the budgets. so this kickback scheme is devised - to limit the hit of the school taxes, and keep that money flowing to the schools. the sheeple don't even understand that they are paying for their own tax rebate (and someone elses, depending on where they live) - and then some.

[nmh]

We've been house shopping since last fall. We stopped at Thanksgiving and resumed in April of 2006. When you look at the building and land assessment - TYPICALLY with few exceptions the price is DOUBLED if not TRIPLED. For example you might have a total assessment of 350K (land and building). The listing price will be about 700K or 750K on up. We are not talking new construction. This house will typically be about 10 years old with an acre or more of ground. Yes, they are pumped up BUT they ARE getting at least 1/3 to 2/3 MORE of the assessment. We allow some appreciation but in older homes the layout is all wrong - small kitchens, small bathrooms, no den etc.. To change that will cost and arm and a leg with architect costs, construction costs, permits and every one dipping into your pocket - you're better off having that in place to begin with.

We have stopped looking. Yes, we can go that high, however we have come to the decision that it is NOT worth it. When you go that high, then you need to look more closely at new construction and get EXACLTY what you want. It's very frustrating and bottom line is it's not worth it in the long run. New Jersey is too costly to live in. You are constantly getting screwed financially. We never vote for Demoncrats but they always get in. We're tired of living with fools and suffering the consequences - $$$$. Instead our tact is to LEAVE New Jersey! Pay cash for the next house, keep our daughter in private school and live happily ever after - well of course no life is problem free but it would be a better use of our money NOT to throw it away at New Jersey programs via taxes that we NEVER benefit from.

The real estate market is leveling off in New Jersey however the housing cost will ALWAYS be high in New Jersey - because it is a DENSELY populated state so supply and demand kicks in. Even if they COULD clean up the corruption here - it will continue to be pricier to live here and we simply don't see any benefit to living here. Having said all this - this is our HOPE! There is also the problem of say moving to Tennessee - what there" UPS? Okay, what else? Maybelline? What else? LIMITED companies to jump to if things go wrong. So you can't just jump to another state. You always need options for employment in your salary range - that's the tough part when you're an executive.

Ohm getting back to under assessment - after you purchase the house, within six months or less you get assessed through the gazoo! While others who have been in the same model continue to pay the lower tax rate. The new buyer gets soaked while the longterm homeowner slides by with tiny incremental tax hikes.

[alice_in_bubbaland]

LOL! Being just a stones throw from the Pocono Mts, I hear ya! I'm in Warren County, NJ and whenever I visit the Rt. 209 Flea Market in Marshalls Creek, the crowds resemble Hudson or Bergen county! BTW I really feel you folks! Your taxes are increasing on a yearly basis and pretty soon knowing the Governor that you have, you will be in the same boat as us.

[gaspar]

You've got it! Watch property tax assessments go crazy very soon.

[chiefqc]

The voters in NJ elected this moron, so suck it up and live with your selection.

[conservative in nyc]

If you think "property tax relief" means that property owners will magically see checks appearing at their doorstep, I have news for you: "property tax relief" usually means more state money goes directly to schools (sometimes sent disproportionately to "poor" areas), which hire more teachers and educrats with the money. This makes the NEA happy because more teachers=more union dues.

But more teachers also equals more pension and employee benefits costs, which are in part what's causing New Jersey's budget to go further out of kilter in the first place. Did you know that the state of New Jersey pays the employers' portion of every teacher's social security taxes - even though none of them actually work for the state?

[colorado tanker]

So, Corzine basically got his sales tax...

. . . and if the voters are sufficiently p.o.'d, we may pick up a Senate seat.

[alice_in_bubbaland]

But Chiefqc........I didn't vote for this moron! I was and still am, a Schundler supporter. :)

[Wolfstar]

Aren't property taxes assessed at the local level in NJ? If yes, how can the state lower property taxes? And what's the point of raising sales taxes if all they do is lower property taxes in a year's time?

[alice_in_bubbaland]

We were just reassessed three years ago. My property tax is currently $8,000. I guess I'll be shopping in PA from now on.

[randita]

We frequently drive on 209 through Marshall's Creek to get to my husband's rod and gun club, but have learned to avoid it from Friday night through Sunday night. There are alternate ways around it which we use on the weekends. That whole region is getting absolutely crazy during the warmer months. Pike County is the fastest growing county in all of PA due to the NJ transplants.