‘Showdown over millionaire's tax set as Dems try to override Gov Chris Christie's veto’  Lisa Fleisher and Matt Friedman State House Bureau

Wednesday, June 16, 2010 TRENTON — A final showdown between Gov. Chris Christie and Democrats in the Legislature over raising income taxes on the rich is set for next week.

Top Democrats said they will try Monday to override Christie’s veto of the so-called millionaires tax so they can fund property tax rebates for the state’s seniors and disabled residents.

But with no apparent Republican support, the majority Democratic Party does not have enough members to reach the two-thirds needed for an override.

"As Democrats, we believe that we must stand tall for what we believe ideologically," said Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver (D-Essex). "I have experienced for seven consecutive years Republicans standing up for things they knew would, quote, never go anywhere. I don’t see why it would be any different from legislators on the other side."

The bill would raise taxes on income of more than $1 million to restore some property tax rebates Christie cut in his $29.3 billion budget — a spending plan that must be approved by the Legislature by July 1.

The one-year tax increase would likely bring in about $600 million, said David Rosen, the budget and finance officer for the nonpartisan Office of Legislative Services.

The vote will start in the Assembly and, if successful, move to the Senate — a path dictated by legislative rules that require bills to start in the house where they originated.

Assemblyman Joseph Malone (R-Burlington) described the Democrats’ chances as "less than zero," and Christie spokesman Michael Drewniak said state has been taxed enough.

"Where do you begin? It’s another vote in favor of killing jobs and economic growth," Drewniak said. "If they want to be on record a second time in a matter of weeks for voting to raise taxes, that’s on them."

Still, Democrats want to make sure seniors know who to blame when, come August, they don’t receive the rebate checks, which averaged $1,266 in 2009 for senior and disabled residents. Christie’s budget reduces the payment to $316 — but would not deliver it until May 2011.

The AARP encouraged its 1.3 million members to lobby lawmakers to restore the rebates. Since March 30, its members have made 10,414 calls to state lawmakers through the organization’s hotline that connects them to legislative offices, said Doug Johnston, a lobbyist for AARP.

"If you’re a senior living on Social Security alone, you’re probably making $20,000 a year, if you’re lucky," he said. "Those people depend on their homestead rebates, and they’re far more financially strapped than the state government of New Jersey."

Republican lawmakers will likely also author the annual 2011 budget bills as Democrats distance themselves from Christie’s massive proposed cuts, including $820 million from schools and $446 million from municipalities.

Senior lawmakers have said for weeks there is no appetite for shutting down state government — which happened in 2006 when then-Gov. Jon Corzine could not reach a budget agreement with members of his own party. Christie has ordered his administration to make preparations in the "unlikely" chance of a fight.

TRENTON — A final showdown between Gov. Chris Christie and Democrats in the Legislature over raising income taxes on the rich is set for next week.

Top Democrats said they will try Monday to override Christie’s veto of the so-called millionaires tax so they can fund property tax rebates for the state’s seniors and disabled residents.

But with no apparent Republican support, the majority Democratic Party does not have enough members to reach the two-thirds needed for an override.

"As Democrats, we believe that we must stand tall for what we believe ideologically," said Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver (D-Essex). "I have experienced for seven consecutive years Republicans standing up for things they knew would, quote, never go anywhere. I don’t see why it would be any different from legislators on the other side."

The bill would raise taxes on income of more than $1 million to restore some property tax rebates Christie cut in his $29.3 billion budget — a spending plan that must be approved by the Legislature by July 1.

The one-year tax increase would likely bring in about $600 million, said David Rosen, the budget and finance officer for the nonpartisan Office of Legislative Services.

The vote will start in the Assembly and, if successful, move to the Senate — a path dictated by legislative rules that require bills to start in the house where they originated.

Assemblyman Joseph Malone (R-Burlington) described the Democrats’ chances as "less than zero," and Christie spokesman Michael Drewniak said state has been taxed enough.

"Where do you begin? It’s another vote in favor of killing jobs and economic growth," Drewniak said. "If they want to be on record a second time in a matter of weeks for voting to raise taxes, that’s on them."

Still, Democrats want to make sure seniors know who to blame when, come August, they don’t receive the rebate checks, which averaged $1,266 in 2009 for senior and disabled residents. Christie’s budget reduces the payment to $316 — but would not deliver it until May 2011.

The AARP encouraged its 1.3 million members to lobby lawmakers to restore the rebates. Since March 30, its members have made 10,414 calls to state lawmakers through the organization’s hotline that connects them to legislative offices, said Doug Johnston, a lobbyist for AARP.

"If you’re a senior living on Social Security alone, you’re probably making $20,000 a year, if you’re lucky," he said. "Those people depend on their homestead rebates, and they’re far more financially strapped than the state government of New Jersey."

Republican lawmakers will likely also author the annual 2011 budget bills as Democrats distance themselves from Christie’s massive proposed cuts, including $820 million from schools and $446 million from municipalities.

Senior lawmakers have said for weeks there is no appetite for shutting down state government — which happened in 2006 when then-Gov. Jon Corzine could not reach a budget agreement with members of his own party. Christie has ordered his administration to make preparations in the "unlikely" chance of a fight.