GOP Calls Coughlin’s StayNJ a “Gimmick, Not Real Tax Relief”

It didn’t take long for Republicans to quickly respond to Assembly Speak Craig Coughlin’s StayNJ Bill, calling it a “gimmick” and not “real tax relief.”

Leading the chorus of GOP lawmakers condemning the bill is Assemblyman Brian Bergen (R-25), who reminded his colleagues on the other side of the political aisle just who badly disabled veterans and seniors have been treated under Democratic rule.

“I have attempted to force a vote on a bill to provide disabled veterans with property tax relief three times and the majority has shot it down every time – even refusing to advance their identical bill,” said Bergen. “Why? It’s because they do not care about our most vulnerable residents, they only care about votes, which explains their election-year StayNJ gimmick.”

Bergen’s Vote

Bergen, during the 26th district Assembly debate May 31, announced he would support Coughlin’s proposal despite his misgivings.

“If this bill comes up for a vote to return money to seniors, I’m going to vote for it,” Bergen said. “But I don’t see that ever happening. I think it’s a disingenuous proposal done in an election year for election purposes and that’s it.”

StayNJ Legislation

The StayNJ bill being pushed by Coughlin (D-19), and now State Senate President Nicholas Scutari (D-22), is aimed at homeowners aged 65 and older, and would require a $300 million-dollar supplemental appropriation, costing the state in the neighborhood of $1.2 billion dollars by 2025.

Gov. Phil Murphy has already threatened to shut down state government if Coughlin’s proposal moves forward in its current form, citing having $2.0 billion less then projected from tax revenue this year among other reasons. Republicans argue that Coughlin’s plan is simply discretionary spending that will evaporate as soon as revenues within the state budget begins to decrease.

“There is no appetite to move this bill, because they want to bribe the senior voting bloc months before we all appear on the ballot. Given that Gov. Murphy doesn’t have a horse in this race, StayNJ may not even materialize,” said Bergen.

Bergen, however, wasn’t the only Republican to openly voice his opposition to Coughlin’s proposal. Assembly Minority Leader John DiMaio (R-23) criticized the plan as well.

Election Year “Bribe”

“This is just another attempt to bribe people with their own money ahead of an election,” said DiMaio. “Lowering property taxes means actually lowering the tax bill, not taking people’s money and giving some back. We need structural changes to do that.”

DiMaio promoted his his own property tax relief program tied into fully funding schools while lowering property taxes. The 67-year-old lawmaker estimates the average tax cut under his program within the first year would be approximately $800 per homeowner and tenant. Each year property taxes would be lowered further as school funding from the state increases.

“That includes fulfilling New Jersey’s constitutional and statutory spending obligations like aid for schools, colleges, and health care, which are consistently underfunded and would provide direct relief to those who need it struggling to afford it all,” said DiMaio.

What if A Recession Hits?

DiMaio warned that the StayNJ is more discretionary spending that could be gone as soon as a recession happens.

“Then seniors and everyone else are paying property taxes way higher than before instead of lower property taxes,” he said. “All because Democrats want ‘vote for me’ tax credits instead of actually lowering property taxes.”

Besides his misgivings with the StayNJ program, Bergen’s expressed frustration with Democratic leadership on repeatedly being ignored in his efforts to help disabled veterans with property tax relief.

Seeking to Help Veterans

Bergen, a veteran who was an Apache helicopter pilot and U.S. Army captain who fought in Iraq, last month attempted to introduce his bill (A888) that would give disabled veterans a property tax cut equal to their military disability rating for a vote on the Assembly floor. However, Democrats shut off his microphone and refused to allow a vote on his bill.

Even more disturbing for the Morris County lawmaker is that the property tax deduction bill for disabled veterans has languished in the Assembly for 15 years even though it has been sponsored by Coughlin.

“Democrats are disingenuous at best. On a session day meant to honor veterans, I, along with all of New Jersey’s veterans was disrespected,” said Bergen.