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     Property Tax Reform, Special Legislative Session & School Funding
August 2006 on - GSCS Noteboard on Special Session Committee meetings
Click here to see information on Joint Committeee meetings of the Special Session on Property Tax Reform. Meeting dates, agenda, presentations before the committees and more. Next meetings scheduled as of 8-16-06: 1. Constitutional reform: Aug. 17

2. School funding: Aug 22 & 29, Sept 5

3. Pensions and benefits: Aug 23, 24, 31

4. Consolidation and shared services: Aug 30, Sept 6

Additional dates for Jt Comm on Pub Schl Funding are - Tuesday, August 29, 2006 Tuesday, September 5, 2006 Tuesday, September 12, 2006 Tuesday, September 19, 2006 Tuesday, September 26, 2006 Tuesday, October 3, 2006 Tuesday, October 10, 2006 Tuesday, October 17, 2006 Tuesday, October 24, 2006 Tuesday, October 31, 2006

Go to the website of the New Jersey Legislature (see sidebar here "Links")click on the link at the NJLeg website/top re these Joint Committee meetings for details, including testimonies and presentations.

   Joint Leg.Com. on Con.Reform & Cit. Prop.Tax Con. Convention

    Friday, August 04, 2006 - 12:00 PM

    Meeting - Committee Room 4, 1st Floor, State House Annex, Trenton, NJ

 

The committee will meet to organize and receive a presentation by the Office of Legislative Services.

 

 

Establishment

The Joint Legislative Committee on Constitutional Reform and Citizens Property Tax Constitutional Convention was created by Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 3. It is the duty of the committee to review and formulate proposals that address property tax reform through amendments to the Constitution of the State of New Jersey. The committee will also determine whether amendments to the State Constitution should be recommended to the Legislature for submission directly to the voters or whether such amendments should be referred to a citizens property tax constitutional convention to be convened for the purpose of reforming the system of property taxation.

 

Committee Members

Senator Bernard F. Kenny Jr.   -   Co-Chair
Assemblyman John J. Burzichelli   -   Co-Chair
Senator Leonard Lance
Senator Fred H. Madden Jr.
Assemblyman Louis M. Manzo
Assemblyman Richard A. Merkt

 

Committee Aides

Catherine Z. Brennan, OLS Aide

(609) 984-6798

Philip Liloia, OLS Aide

(609) 984-6798

Timothy P. Lydon, Senate Democratic Aide

(609) 292-5215

Linda Schwimmer, Senate Democratic Aide

(609) 292-5215

John Hutchison, Senate Republican Aide

(609) 292-5199

Gina LaPlaca, Assembly Democratic Aide

(609) 292-7065

Kay Walcott-Henderson, Assembly Democratic Aide

(609) 292-7065

Mary C. Beaumont, Assembly Republican Aide

(609) 292-5339

Joseph Glover, Assembly Republican Aide

(609) 292-5339

 

 

 


Presentations
    Property Tax, State and Local Taxes and the New Jersey Constitution
  -   8/4/2006
    
Prepared by the Office of Legislative Services

 

The following legislation relevant to the topics being studied by this special committee has been introduced in the 2006-07 legislative session

 


RESTRUCTURING OF REVENUE OR SPENDING

 

 

    ACR54

Amends State Constitution to provide annual spending limits for counties, municipalities and school districts and to provide for State aid for property tax relief for local governments that budget within those limits.

 

 

 

 

 

 

    ACR68

Proposes an amendment to the Constitution to prohibit the use of local real property taxes or a Statewide real property tax for funding the core curriculum content standards.

 

 

 

 

 

 

    ACR86

Amends Constitution to guarantee minimum State-funded 30 percent residential property tax reduction through oversight of State spending by new elective Auditor General and new restraints on increasing State revenue and spending.

 

 

 

 

 

 

    ACR149

Constitutional amendment to provide gross income tax credit equal to 33% of annual homestead school property tax.

 

 

 

 

 

 

    ACR155

Proposes a constitutional amendment to require refunds to homestead property tax payers of local school taxes to be funded by new State revenues to be established based upon two recommendations of a commission established therefor.

 

 

 

 

 

 

    SCR60

Proposes a constitutional amendment to require refunds to homestead property tax payers of local school taxes to be funded by new State revenues to be established based upon two recommendations of a commission established therefor.

 

 

 

 

 

 

    ACR172

Amends State Constitution to create surplus revenue funds in the State general fund and the Property Tax Relief Fund and to change the State revenue estimating process.

 

 

 

 

 

 

    ACR185

Proposes constitutional amendment to require that any State income tax surcharge be dedicated to pay for rebates of 50% of school property taxes paid by homestead property taxpayers and residential tenants.

 

 

 

 

 

 

    SCR94

Proposes constitutional amendment to require that any State income tax surcharge be dedicated to pay for rebates of 50% of school property taxes paid by homestead property taxpayers and residential tenants.

 

 

 

 

 

 

    SCR15

Proposes constitutional amendment to establish an annual State appropriations cap based on inflation plus State population growth, a reserve of one-half of revenues collected above State appropriations and directs one-half for direct property tax relief.

 

 

 

 

 

 

    SCR64

Proposes an amendment to the Constitution to prohibit the use of local real property taxes or a Statewide real property tax for funding the core curriculum content standards.

 

 


PROPERTY TAX: ASSESSMENT AND IMPOSITION

 

 

    ACR67

Proposes constitutional amendment to forbid imposition of a local or State property tax or certain other State taxes on intangible property.

 

 

 

 

 

 

    ACR72

Proposes constitutional amendment granting property assessment reductions for certain improvements to dwelling houses to provide living-quarters for senior citizen relatives.

 

 

 

 

 

 

    SCR11

Proposes constitutional amendment granting property assessment reductions for certain improvements to dwelling houses to provide living-quarters for senior citizen relatives.

 

 

 

 

 

 

    ACR102

Proposes constitutional amendment to limit assessment of homestead real property.

 

 

 

 

 

 

    SCR92

Proposes constitutional amendment to limit assessment of homestead real property.

 

 

 

 

 

 

    SCR98

Proposes constitutional amendment to require municipal referendum on reducing assessment of all real property within qualified common interest communities.

 

 


PROPERTY TAX: REDUCTIONS AND REBATES - VETERANS AND ACTIVE MILITARY

 

 

    ACR57

Proposes constitutional amendment to increase to $500 veterans' property tax deduction.

 

 

 

 

 

 

    ACR62

Proposes constitutional amendment to require annual cost of living adjustment to amount of veteran's property tax deduction.

 

 

 

 

 

 

    ACR66

Proposes constitutional amendment to extend eligibility for veterans' property tax deduction and disabled veterans' property tax exemption to residents of continuing care retirement communities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

    SCR52

Proposes constitutional amendment to extend eligibility for veterans' property tax deduction and disabled veterans' property tax exemption to residents of continuing care retirement communities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

    ACR84

Proposes constitutional amendment to provide property tax exemption for deployed members of U.S. Armed Forces.

 

 

 

 

 

 

    ACR97

Extends eligibility for veterans' property tax deduction to veterans who did not serve during time of war or other emergency.

 

 

 

 

 

 

    SCR16

Extends eligibility for veterans' property tax deduction to veterans who did not serve during time of war or other emergency.

 

 

 

 

 

 

    ACR105

Proposes constitutional amendment permitting certain veterans and their surviving spouses to receive enhanced homestead rebate amounts similar to the homestead rebate amounts allowed for senior and disabled residents.

 

 

 

 

 

 

    ACR115

Proposes constitutional amendment to provide annual property tax deduction to non-wartime veterans, and annual veteran's rebate to wartime and non-wartime veteran renters.

 

 

 

 

 

 

    SCR56

Proposes constitutional amendment to provide annual property tax deduction to non-wartime veterans, and annual veteran's rebate to wartime and non-wartime veteran renters.

 

 

 

 

 

 

    ACR193

Proposes constitutional amendment to permit Legislature to extend eligibility to receive veterans' property tax deduction to surviving spouse of nonresident veteran in certain circumstances.

 

 

 

 

 

 

    SCR76

Proposes constitutional amendment to permit Legislature to extend eligibility to receive veterans' property tax deduction to surviving spouse of nonresident veteran in certain circumstances.

 

 

 

 

 

 

    SCR69

Proposes constitutional amendment to extend eligibility for property tax deduction to New Jersey resident who is the surviving spouse of a nonresident veteran.

 

 

 

 

 

 

    SCR77

Proposes constitutional amendment to extend veterans' property tax deduction and exemption to dependent children of deceased veteran.

 

 

 

 

 

 

    SCR80

Proposes constitutional amendment to extend eligibility to receive veteran's $250 property tax deduction to surviving spouse of veteran who was not a State resident at the time of death.

 

 

 

 

 

 

    SCR87

Amends constitution to expand eligibility for veterans' property tax benefits, subject to conditions established by Legislature.

 

 


PROPERTY TAX REDUCTIONS AND REBATES - SENIORS AND DISABLED

 

 

    ACR58

Proposes constitutional amendment to increase to $500 senior and disabled persons' property tax deduction.

 

 

 

 

 

 

    SCR45

Proposes constitutional amendment to increase to $500 senior and disabled persons' property tax deduction.

 

 

 

 

 

 

    ACR59

Reduces by five per cent annually amount of local school purposes property taxes payable by senior citizens age 70 or older.

 

 

 

 

 

 

    SCR46

Reduces by five per cent annually amount of local school purposes property taxes payable by senior citizens age 70 or older.

 

 

 

 

 

 

    ACR69

Amends Constitution to permit legislation freezing school district taxes for senior and disabled citizens.

 

 

 

 

 

 

    SCR111

Amends Constitution to permit legislation freezing school district taxes for senior and disabled citizens.

 

 

 

 

 

 

    ACR70

Proposes additional $250 property tax deduction for certain senior citizens.

 

 

 

 

 

 

    ACR92

Proposes constitutional amendment to increase maximum income limitation for senior and disabled property tax deduction.

 

 

 

 

 

 

    ACR113

Proposes constitutional amendment to permit municipalities to place limits on municipal purposes portion of property tax bill for certain senior citizens.

 

 

 

 

 

 

    ACR122

Proposes constitutional amendment to increase annual income limitation for eligibility to receive property tax deduction for senior and disabled citizens.

 

 

 

 

 

 

    ACR123

Proposes constitutional amendment to establish homestead property tax reimbursement program for senior and disabled homeowners.

 

 

 

 

 

 

    ACR191

Proposes constitutional amendment to increase annual income limitation for senior and disabled citizens' $250 property tax deduction and bases future annual limitations on annual CPI changes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

    SCR100

Proposes constitutional amendment to increase annual income limitation for senior and disabled citizens' $250 property tax deduction and bases future annual limitations on annual CPI changes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

    SCR55

Proposes Constitutional amendment to increase annual income limit for eligibility to receive senior and disabled persons' property tax deduction.

 

 

 

 

 

 

    SCR65

Proposes constitutional amendment to increase to $500 senior and disabled persons' property tax deduction, and to increase eligibility income limits.

 

 

 

 

 

 

    SCR74

Proposes constitutional amendment to increase annual income limitation for eligibility to receive property tax deduction for senior and disabled citizens.

 

 


PROPERTY TAX REDUCTIONS AND REBATES - VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS AND FIRST AID

 

 

    ACR87

Proposes constitutional amendment requiring Legislature to enact statute authorizing $150 property tax credit for primary residence of volunteer fire fighter or first aid squad member.

 

 

 

 

 

 

    SCR91

Proposes constitutional amendment requiring Legislature to enact statute authorizing $200 property tax credit for primary residence of volunteer fire fighter or first aid squad member.

 

 

 

 

 

 

    ACR89

Proposes constitutional amendment permitting Legislature to adopt statute allowing municipalities to enact ordinances authorizing property tax deduction for primary residence of volunteer firefighter or first aid squad member.

 

 

 

 

 

 

    SCR49

Proposes constitutional amendment requiring Legislature to enact statute authorizing property tax deduction for primary residence of volunteer firefighter, first aid or emergency services squad member.

 

 


CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION / SPECIAL SESSION

 

 

    ACR78

Proposes constitutional amendment to allow property tax reform constitutional convention held in 2005 to propose statutory changes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

    SCR38

Proposes constitutional amendment to allow property tax reform constitutional convention held in 2005 to propose statutory changes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

    ACR98

Proposes temporary amendment to State Constitution to permit State constitutional convention convened to provide property tax relief to propose constitutional amendments and statutory changes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

    ACR107

Proposes temporary constitutional amendment allowing State constitutional convention convened to reform system of property taxation to propose statutory changes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

    SCR68

Proposes temporary constitutional amendment allowing State constitutional convention convened to reform system of property taxation to propose statutory changes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

    ACR108

Provides for special session of Legislature to consider property tax reform.

 

 

 

 

 

 

    SCR18

Provides for special session of Legislature to consider property tax reform.

 

 

 

 

 

 

    ACR140

Proposes constitutional amendment allowing 2007 property tax reform constitutional convention to propose statutory changes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

    ACR141

Provides for special session of Legislature to consider property tax relief and reform.

 

 

 

 

 

 

    SCR104

Proposes temporary constitutional amendment to provide for State constitutional convention to reduce government spending and to reform system of property taxation.

 

 

Tuesday, August 08, 2006

10:00 AM

Committee Room 4, First Floor, State House Annex, Trenton, NJ

 

Joint Leg. Com. on Gov't Consolidation & Shared Services

    Tuesday, August 08, 2006 - 10:00 AM

    Meeting - Committee Room 4, First Floor, State House Annex, Trenton, NJ

 

The committee will meet to organize and receive a presentation by the Office of Legislative Services. In addition, the committee will hear presentations by Thomas D. Sharpe; Gregory J. Bonin; and Reagan Burkholder.

 

 

Establishment

The Joint Legislative Committee on Government Consolidation and Shared Services was created by Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 3. It is the duty of the committee to review and formulate proposals that address the sharing of services and regionalization of functions at all levels of government. As a basis for these deliberations, the committee will use the CORE agenda proposed by the Speaker of the General Assembly. In addition, the committee will consider proposals to consolidate or eliminate State agency functions and State agencies or commissions.

 

Committee Members

Senator Bob Smith  -  Co-Chair
Assemblyman John S. Wisniewski  -  Co-Chair
Assemblyman Robert M. Gordon
Senator Ellen Karcher
Senator Joseph M. Kyrillos Jr.
Assemblyman Joseph R. Malone III

 

Committee Aides

Joseph J. Blaney, OLS Aide

(609) 984-6843  

Brian McCord, OLS Aide

(609) 292-1596 

Julius Bailey, Senate Democratic Aide

(609) 292-5215

Patrick Gillespie, Senate Democratic Aide

(609) 292-5215

Nicole DeCostello, Senate Republican Aide

(609) 292-5199

Rosemary Pramuk, Senate Republican Aide

(609) 292-5199

Hannah Shostack, Assembly Democratic Aide

(609) 292-7065

Kate McDonnell, Assembly Democratic Aide

(609) 292-7065

Marianne L. Ingrao, Assembly Republican Aide

(609) 292-5339

Thea M. Sheridan, Assembly Republican Aide

(609) 292-5339

 

 

   Joint Legislative Com. on Public Employee Benefits Reform

    Wednesday, August 09, 2006 - 10:00 AM

    Meeting - Committee Room 4, 1st Floor, State House Annex, Trenton, NJ

 

At its organizational meeting, the committee will receive a presentation by Frederick J. Beaver, Director of the New Jersey Division of Pensions and Benefits.

 

 

Establishment

The Joint Legislative Committee on Public Employee Benefits Reform was created by Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 3. It is the duty of the committee to review and formulate proposals that address abuses of the system of benefits provided to public employees and to control the costs of the State and its political subdivisions for public employee retirement, health care and other benefits. As a basis for its deliberations, the committee will use the recommendations of the Benefits Review Task Force contained in its December 1, 2005 report, as well as other relevant reports.

 

Committee Members

Senator Nicholas P. Scutari  -  Co-Chair
Assemblywoman Nellie Pou  -  Co-Chair
Assemblyman Thomas P. Giblin
Senator William L. Gormley
Assemblyman Kevin J. O'Toole
Senator Ronald L. Rice

 

Committee Aides

Pamela H. Espenshade, OLS Aide

(609) 292-9106

James F. Vari, OLS Aide

(609) 292-9106   

George J. LeBlanc, Senate Democratic Aide

(609) 292-5215

Christian Martin, Senate Democratic Aide

(609) 292-5215

Olga Betz, Senate Republican Aide

(609) 292-5199

Laurine Purola, Senate Republican Aide

(609) 292-5199

Aaron Binder, Assembly Democratic Aide

(609) 292-7065

Karina Fuentes, Assembly Democratic Aide

(609) 292-7065

John Kingston, Assembly Republican Aide

(609) 292-5339

Jerry Traino, Assembly Republican Aide

(609) 292-5339

 

 

 

Joint Legislative Committee on Public School Funding Reform

    Thursday, August 10, 2006 - 10:00 AM

    Meeting - Committee Room 4, 1st. Floor, State House Annex, Trenton, NJ

 

The committee will meet to organize and receive a presentation by the Office of Legislative Services.

 

JOINT LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING REFORM

Overview of the Committee and its Work

 

Establishment:

The Joint Legislative Committee on Public School Funding Reform was created by Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 3. It is the duty of the committee to review and formulate proposals that address the manner in which government provides for the maintenance and support of a system of free public schools for the instruction of the children of this State. The committee may consider proposals to: provide State support based on student needs rather than geographic location; eliminate disincentives to the regionalization of school districts; control school district spending, particulary administrative spending; and improve the effectiveness of the current law limiting increases in school district spending.

 

Committee Members

Senator John H. Adler  -  Co-Chair

Assemblyman Herb Conaway Jr.  -  Co-Chair

Senator Gerald Cardinale

Senator Joseph V. Doria Jr.

Assemblyman Brian P. Stack

Assemblyman David W. Wolfe

 

 

 

Committee Aides

Kathleen Fazzari, OLS Aide (609) 984-6843

Theodore C. Settle, OLS Aide (609) 984-6843 

Jacqueline Burke, Senate Democratic Aide

 (609) 292-5215

David Rousseau, Senate Democratic Aide (609) 292-5215

Brian Alpert, Senate Republican Aide

 (609) 292-5199

Christine Shipley, Senate Republican Aide (609) 292-5199

Mary Alice Messenger-Gault, Assembly Democratic Aide (609) 292-7065

Keith White, Assembly Democratic Aide (609) 292-7065

Beth Schermerhorn, Assembly Republican Aide (609) 292-5339

Thomas Neff, Assembly Republican Aide (609) 292-5339

 

Joint Legislative Committee on Public School Funding Reform

    Thursday, August 10, 2006 - 10:00 AM

    Meeting - Committee Room 4, 1st. Floor, State House Annex, Trenton, NJ

 

The committee will meet to organize and receive a presentation by the Office of Legislative Services.

 

JOINT LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING REFORM

Overview of the Committee and its Work

 

Establishment:

The Joint Legislative Committee on Public School Funding Reform was created by Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 3. It is the duty of the committee to review and formulate proposals that address the manner in which government provides for the maintenance and support of a system of free public schools for the instruction of the children of this State. The committee may consider proposals to: provide State support based on student needs rather than geographic location; eliminate disincentives to the regionalization of school districts; control school district spending, particulary administrative spending; and improve the effectiveness of the current law limiting increases in school district spending.

 

Committee Members

Senator John H. Adler  -  Co-Chair

Assemblyman Herb Conaway Jr.  -  Co-Chair

Senator Gerald Cardinale

Senator Joseph V. Doria Jr.

Assemblyman Brian P. Stack

Assemblyman David W. Wolfe

 

 

 

Committee Aides

Kathleen Fazzari, OLS Aide (609) 984-6843

Theodore C. Settle, OLS Aide (609) 984-6843 

Jacqueline Burke, Senate Democratic Aide

 (609) 292-5215

David Rousseau, Senate Democratic Aide (609) 292-5215

Brian Alpert, Senate Republican Aide

 (609) 292-5199

Christine Shipley, Senate Republican Aide (609) 292-5199

Mary Alice Messenger-Gault, Assembly Democratic Aide (609) 292-7065

Keith White, Assembly Democratic Aide (609) 292-7065

Beth Schermerhorn, Assembly Republican Aide (609) 292-5339

Thomas Neff, Assembly Republican Aide (609) 292-5339

Public Testimony
    August 10, 2006


Resources
    List of Research Resources Provided for the JOINT LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING REFORM   -   8/10/2006
     Compiled by the Office of Legislative Services

Presentations
    Public School Funding in New Jersey   -   8/10/2006
     Prepared by the Office of Legislative Services

The following legislation relevant to the topics being studied by this special committee has been introduced in the 2006-07 legislative session

REVISIONS TO CURRENT SCHOOL FUNDING FORMULA
 
    A144 Revises State funding formula for public education.
 
    S769 Revises State funding formula for public education.
 
    S126 "School Tax Offset Aid Act."
 
    A1063 Provides that new ratables will be phased into the calculation of equalized valuation over a ten-year period in determining eligibility for State school aid.
 
    S1171 Increases senior citizen stabilization aid to $500 and makes certain regional districts eligible for senior citizen stabilization aid.

NEW SCHOOL AID CATEGORIES OR REVENUE SOURCES
 
    A2390 Requires amount by which actual State General Fund revenue exceeds anticipated State General Fund revenue for a fiscal year to be appropriated as State school aid.
 
    A2917 Provides additional State school aid to certain school districts with significant enrollment growth.
 
    S469 Provides additional State school aid to certain school districts with significant enrollment growth.
 
    A2918 Provides additional State school aid to school districts with significant enrollment growth and low per pupil property and income wealth.
 
    S124 Provides additional State school aid to school districts with significant enrollment growth and low per pupil property and income wealth.
 
    S1288 Provides additional State school aid to certain public school districts.
 
    ACR54 Amends State Constitution to provide annual spending limits for counties, municipalities and school districts and to provide for State aid for property tax relief for local governments that budget within those limits.

PROCEDURES FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT AND REVIEW OF SCHOOL FUNDING FORMULA
 
    A651 Establishes the Public School Educational Funding Commission.
 
    A656 Creates the "School Tax Policy Funding Commission."
 
    A882 Establishes a permanent Commission on the Funding of a Thorough and Efficient Public School Education to make recommendations and to monitor a public school funding formula. *
 
    AR168 Establishes School Aid Formula Reform and Accountability Task Force.
 
    S578 Establishes the New Jersey State Commission on Education Reform to develop academic outcome-based per pupil public school funding amounts.
 
    S1775 Establishes a permanent Public School Education Funding Review Commission.
 
    SCR51 Proposes amendment to the Constitution to establish Council on Thorough and Efficient Education to adopt a range of per pupil school funding amounts and decide disputes on sufficiency of State funding of public schools.