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Tags"If done correctly, we can bring real savings to property taxpayers without spending a dime, simply by easing mandates that may no longer be serving their purpose or are simply too burdensome," Assemblyman John McKeon (D-Essex), the committee chairman, said Monday.
The panel will hear testimony from invited guests regarding state mandates imposed upon cities and towns.
McKeon was asked by Assembly Speaker Sheila Y. Oliver (D-Essex) to lead the examination of mandates on local governments.
"When state government imposes a law or regulation upon a municipality, it's the property taxpayers who end up paying the bill," Oliver said. "If we're going to make a dramatic difference in finally combating property taxes, this is clearly an area that needs to be examined."
McKeon said the effort to examine mandates is part of the Assembly's drive to find ways to control government spending and costs amid the new 2 percent cap on annual property tax increases. He said the hearing is the first of several planned hearings on the topic."This is part of an overall effort to bring systemic change to a system that simply costs taxpayers too much money," McKeon said.
McKeon was mayor of West Orange from 1998 until July 1. He also served on the West Orange council from 1992 to 1998.
"I know what it's like to balance the needs of a local community with state mandates, but I also know that some mandates are developed with the best of intentions to protect the public safety, health and welfare," the Assemblyman said. "Our goal here is to streamline mandates and eliminate those that are no longer needed, all the while keeping in mind that the goal is to help control property taxes."
The hearing is set for 10 a.m. in the Statehouse Annex in Trenton.
– TOM HESTER SR., NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM
