| In the middle of the marriage equality debate and the controversy over Christie's ill chosen words, it was easy to miss this: according to the Christie Administration, property taxes are up 20% since Chris Christie took office.
Why? Mainly this: prior to Christie taking office, the state's property tax credit program rebated the average New Jersey homeowner $1,000 a year off property taxes.
Now? The average homeowner gets only $480 a year in rebates instead.
The difference? A total of $1.1 billion a year - the same cost as Christie's proposed tax cuts that are focused disproportionately on people making over $1 million.
This isn't that complicated - in fact, it's surprisingly simple given the two numbers are the same. Christie has a choice - between stopping the runaway increase in property taxes under his watch and cutting income taxes for millionaires. And he's choosing cutting income taxes for millionaires. Meanwhile, we all keep paying, and paying, and paying more property taxes.
It's rare in politics that choices are this clear. Let's hope that there's some serious focus on this as budget season begins. |
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