Assembly Speaker Joseph J. Roberts, Jr.

ROBERTS: POLL SHOWS SPECIAL SESSION ON RIGHT TRACK
WITH 20 PERCENT TAX CUT TARGET

(TRENTON) – Assembly Speaker Joseph J. Roberts Jr. welcomed the results of a newly released poll that registered significant support among New Jersey residents for the Legislature's proposed 20 percent property tax credit for the majority of households and other property tax-reform measures."These results are convincing and reassuring," said Roberts (D-Camden). "It's clear that New Jersey residents want the property tax problem fixed in a meaningful way."

Roberts said the fact that 52 percent of respondents in the latest Quinnipiac University poll called the 20 percent credit "the right amount" of property tax relief proves that the Legislature and residents "are on the same page" when it comes to reducing the burden of high property tax levies. Another 11 percent said the 20 percent cut was "too much."

"These results underscore the importance of the Legislature following through and enacting the proposed reforms in an expeditious way," said Roberts. "This is no time to rest on laurels. With these results we must absolutely take the concept of 20 percent savings and make it a reality."

The Quinnipiac poll also found strong support for potential municipal or school district consolidations (62 percent), a revised school funding formula (55 percent), reforms to strengthen the public employee pension and benefit system (62 percent), and a cap on the amount property taxes could increase (83 percent).

"Throughout the special session, legislators knew that they had to put doing what was right ahead of what would be popular," said Roberts. "These poll results show that the special session has produced recommendations that will enjoy widespread public support and be effective. They are an unmistakable signal for the Governor and Legislature to get the job done."

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FOR RELEASE:
December 6, 2006

CONTACT:
Speaker Roberts
Press office
(609) 292-7065