newjerseynewsroom.com

Lawmakers examining ways to cut cost of government

BY TOM HESTER SR.

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

Officials from Hamilton (Mercer), Pennington, Hardyston and Lawrence appeared before the Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee in Trenton Thursday to brief legislators on how they believe unfunded state mandates are costly to cities and towns.

Hamilton (Mercer) Mayor John Bencivengo and Mayor Anthony Persichilli of Pennington co-chairs of the League of Municipalities' Mandates Relief Committee, Hardyston Manager Marianne Smith, and Lawrence Manager Richard Krawczun declared that unfunded mandates force local budget makers to address a laundry list of state-imposed requirements before, and often at the expenses of, locally determined programs and services.

The officials also declares that for years, unfunded mandates have constituted a major driving force behind property tax increases.

"Local governments are at a crisis point with state mandates, decisions by interest arbitrators granting significant salary increases to uniform police and firemen, reductions of sate revenue replacement funding, rigid non yielding environmental regulations and COAH requirements," Bencivengo said. "Absent state attention to these issues, there is little relief for property taxpayers in sight."

Smith said major mandates include the stormwater management mandates, binding interest arbitration reform, civil service reform and affordable housing requirements. Smith and Krawczun told the panel those and other mandates impose increased burdens on property taxpayers.

The officials said action on mandates would provide almost immediate relief to taxpayers. But they added that to be of any benefit in 2011, the Legislature needs to address unfunded mandates quickly.

"This was a great first step," Assemblyman John McKeon (D-Essex), the committee's chairman, said of the hearing. "I expect more hearings and to push forth legislation that will 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."

The panel also heard testimony from the state departments of Community Affairs and Treasury, the New Jersey Health Officers Association, the New Jersey Local Boards of Health Association, New Jersey environmental authorities, the New Jersey Library Association, and labor leaders.

"While my main emphasis has been on finding a way to reduce New Jersey's over-reliance on property taxes, this hearing was a great step toward helping local governments cut costs on mandates that may not be as helpful as intended," said Assemblyman Reed Gusciora (D-Mercer), the panel's vice-chairman. "If we're going to make a difference in finally combating property taxes, this is undoubtedly an area that needs to be examined."

The legislators 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.