Making Every Dollar Count and Fighting for Tax Relief
When Carole graduated from Montclair State and I graduated from Seton Hall, we lived on a tight budget. We were married and with our first child; we had to make every dollar count as my National Guard unit was activated and I was stationed at Fort Dix.
Five kids later, we still needed to be wise with our money.
We carried little debt and always lived within our means.
I have used those same principles as your Mayor. Yes, I have been called “frugal” and “careful,” but I simply refuse to spend what we don’t have.
I am proud to say 2019 is another year of flat taxes at the municipal level. Our sewer rates are the lowest in the area and our AA+ bond rating ensures we pay little interest on our debt. Our debt is lower now than when I took office and represents less than 20% of our borrowing capacity.
We limit hiring, and our recent contract negotiation reformed our health care plan to be fairer to taxpayers and employees, amounting in significant savings for you. Monroe now has the second lowest overall tax rate of the 25 towns in Middlesex County.
But there are obstacles outside the control of Town Hall. State Court-ordered affordable housing on Route 33 and Mounts Milles Road has been a challenge. I will continue to fight these developers and I won’t give them an inch beyond what the state courts are ordering.
But my job is not just limited to the boundaries of Monroe. I regularly travel to Trenton to fight for the state tax relief you deserve.
I’ve successfully fought to expand the state’s retirement income exemption, which was stuck at $20,000. Now it will increase to $80,000 this year for couples and to $100,000 in 2020. Our local retirees will be able to exclude more of their pension and retirement income from New Jersey income tax, with many paying zero income tax. In the future, many retirees may pay zero income tax under the new program. It is absolutely critical that this exemption reach $100,000 in 2020 and we need to change the law so everyone gets the benefit of the first $100,000 no matter an individual’s income.
Recently, I worked with Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin to restore cuts to the Homestead Credit program, providing $3.3 million in state tax relief for Monroe seniors, as well as helped expand the income threshold for the Senior Freeze (Property Tax Reimbursement) Program. Currently, the senior freeze is limited to incomes of about $70,000. Thanks to a vote this year, the program has expanded to incomes of $89,000.
I appreciate the many state lawmakers, including our 14th District legislators, who agreed to meet with me on this important issue to Monroe residents.
In addition, I have fought to support our veterans at every turn. With my urging, in part, the state Legislature doubled the $3,000 state income tax deduction to $6,000. This is an important program, recognizing the unspeakable sacrifices that our veterans made for each of us.
As your Mayor, I will continue to fight for tax relief, while controlling spending and preserving our quality of life. I will address the issues impacting our community and create positive change at every opportunity. You deserve no less.