Tax Cap

Gov. Christie wants to throttle the steady rise of property taxes in New Jersey - already the highest in the nation - by following Massachusetts' lead. That state's property-tax cap, known as Proposition 2 1/2, has helped keep property taxes in check since it took effect in 1981. But experts warn that Massachusetts' experience also holds critical lessons for any state considering a similar approach. "New Jersey can't say, 'Look, it works in Massachusetts, and it will work here.

Gov. Christie wants to throttle the steady rise of property taxes in New Jersey - already the highest in the nation - by following Massachusetts' lead. That state's property-tax cap, known as Proposition 21/2, has helped keep property taxes in check since it took effect in 1981. But experts warn that Massachusetts' experience also holds critical lessons for any state considering a similar approach. "New Jersey can't say, 'Look, it works in Massachusetts, and it will work here.

In his first Statehouse hearing since most school budgets went down in defeat last week, Education Commissioner Bret Schundler told lawmakers yesterday that voters had sent a resounding message. "They are tired of school salaries and benefit costs rising rapidly while the incomes of other New Jerseyans are falling and 10 percent of state residents are out of work altogether, and they are not going to support increased property, income, and sales tax rates to pay for it," he said.

Hospital plans are dangerous Temple University Health Systems will eliminate inpatient and emergency services at Northeastern Hospital by June 30 and transform it into an ambulatory care center. This will leave the neighborhoods of Port Richmond, Bridesburg, and Fishtown with limited access to valuable health services needed for survival. I realize the mayor and City Council are involved in heated budget discussions, but do they even have an opinion on something that can potentially lead to the complete deterioration of neighborhoods?

Haven't we been here before? It's an election year in New Jersey and state lawmakers are offering up a property tax-relief package - one that would dole out an average of $1,051 to 1.9 million households this year. Authors of the plan, which Gov. Corzine is expected to sign into law, insist this is the real thing: meaningful, long-lasting reform. But critics swear the program is just another vote-getting gimmick that cannot be sustained over time. And recent history, it seems, is on their side.

New Jersey's leaders have put a condition on the 20 percent tax credit promised for most households: They want an accompanying law prohibiting local and school taxes from being increased by more than 4 percent each year. This has mayors all over the state putting up a fight, saying that the tax cap may sound good but in practice could hurt the poor and lead to layoffs and cuts in everything from public safety to trash pickup. Somerdale Mayor Gary Passanante knows that his residents are crying out for lower property taxes.

In regards to your Barnes Foundation editorial (July 8), you appear to be saying Lincoln University got one bite at the apple and screwed up, so it doesn't deserve another chance. That's pretty harsh, isn't it? Since the early 1970s, when universities began aggressively recuiting talented minorities, historically black colleges like Lincoln University have seen their best and brightest A+ students siphoned off by the Penns of the world, while their A- and B+ students are lured away by the Penn States.

FIRST, the good news: The Board of Revision of Taxes has imposed a 10 percent cap on property-tax assessments for 2003. Now, the bad news: The BRT has imposed a 10 percent cap on property-tax assessments for 2003. No, this isn't necessarily bad news if you're a homeowner, especially one of those who saw a stunning increase in their property-tax assessments last year - some by as much as 250 percent. But it could be very bad news for the school district, which will have a $12 million hole to fill because of the cap; the city's general fund will also see $8 million less this year.

City Council is still divided over how to tame hefty property-tax increases expected to take effect next year. An informal poll conducted by The Inquirer of 14 of the 17 Council members found that capping property-tax increases at 10 percent annually had the most support. Six Council members said they either supported or were leaning toward such a measure. Most other Council members were divided in their support for a variety of other bills that would either freeze property taxes, offer a 4 percent cap on increases, or allow qualified property owners to defer payment on the portion of their real estate tax increase exceeding 15 percent.

Three years ago, the state gave school districts the power to freeze taxes on land that is permanently preserved. Not one school board has granted the relief, despite pressure from municipal officials and land preservationists. Local school officials have been bothered by lingering questions about court challenges and the loss of tax revenue. That is expected to change tonight in the Central Bucks School District. Inundated with growth and calls for tax relief from farmers, the third-largest district in the state is to vote on implementing the freeze, believed the first of its kind in the country.