New plan would hike income tax for schools But proposal would derail constitutional convention

NJ.com The Star Ledger ^ | 05/02/2005 | JOE DONOHUE AND TOM HESTER

[KeyesPlease]

The constitutional convention planned for later this year to address New Jersey's rampant property tax problem is in serious trouble in the state Senate, according to four top lawmakers from both political parties.

As a result, three legislators and a powerful union will endorse an alternative plan today that would slash property taxes for schools in half but raise the state income tax on most residents.

[KeyesPlease]

"Sooner or later, this is the kind of approach that will need to be done in order to fix New Jersey's over-reliance on property taxes," NJEA lobbyist James Schroeder said.

The only way to fix New Jersey's over reliance on property tax is to regionalize and dump home rule. Bergen County has more pieces of firefighting equipment than New York City, yet has 1/10 the population. New Jersey has more municipalities per square mile than any other state and has more school districts than municipalities-some with no schools. This proposed property tax plan is, sadly just another shell game.

[concerned about politics]

As a result, three legislators and a powerful union will endorse an alternative plan today that would slash property taxes for schools in half but raise the state income tax on most residents.

Sure. Waste money on the dumbing down indoctrination centers, and rape the land owners even more to pay for it? This sounds like a politicians idea of a "fix" alright. Reward the sloth, and punish the productive - just to make it "fair."
Politicians really suck.