Suzanne Barlyn
Many of you abhor out-of-control property taxes as much as I do.
A recent column about moving my family from New Jersey to Pennsylvania due to my growing property-tax bill, which totaled more than $15,000 by the time we sold our house, generated volumes of reader mail. The notion of rising property taxes seems to generate visceral reactions and frustration from the hard-working people who must foot the bills on behalf of their families. Here's a sampling of what people said:- My family of six has been struggling with this decision for about three years as well. We... love the area and the beach, but my taxes have gone up 110% in the past six years! It sure is hard to pull the string and move.
- Couldn't agree more with your message. However, you left out the corruption tax. Having lived in many different states (including "Taxachusetts"), New Jersey holds the trophy for the most corrupt. I moved out of New Jersey last year to Minnesota: Schools are on par if not better.
- I am currently in the process of relocating to N.J. ... Facing the same dilemma, I hadn't yet considered Pennsylvania and would appreciate any suggestions (i.e. towns to consider) [that] you could provide.
- I commend your courage in making such a life-impacting decision ... In retrospect, was the $7,000 per year savings, and other quality-of-life issues ... worth the additional time spent away from family, commute time, and travel costs...? My taxes have increased over 65% since I purchased my home in 2000.
- Check it out ... without Prop. 13, there you go [in reference to California's Proposition 13, a 1978 a ballot initiative that resulted in a state constitutional amendment that capped property-tax rates].
I thought New Jersey's Governor Corzine might be concerned about families such as mine moving out of his state, and others giving the idea some thought.
So, I gave his office a call to request an interview.
But his press secretary said he was busy preparing for the state's annual budget address (he did, however, make time to issue a statement about Fidel Castro's resignation -- as if that's directly relevant to the state's fiscal mess and residents moving away).
This means you'll have to make due with some canned comments his press secretary sent that Governor Corzine made during a press event last month: "We are making progress. We are not where we want to be [but] these are very strong steps. The other steps will bring change over a period of time. The benefits can't be instantly realized. No one should have ever expected that, but the reforms are taking place...."
Although my recent column didn't change the status quo -- yet -- it certainly got you talking. And that's exactly what I hope residents across the country will continue to do -- loudly -- when it comes to property taxes and the rising costs of government.
The angst will only continue otherwise.
Among the most recent national developments:
- The Saginaw News in Michigan reported that some lawmakers are supporting legislation that would cap property tax increases when real estate values fall. One state senator introduced a proposed state constitutional amendment that would freeze property tax increases in years when home values decline, and limit increases when values rise.
- In Georgia, the state senate approved two proposed state constitutional amendments to limit property tax assessments. A vote by Georgia's house is next, and then voters would have to approve the measures in November. Taxpayers in Georgia are apparently irked that their property assessments grow even when municipalities don't raise taxes. So, residents always seem to get saddled with increasing tax bills.
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