Bernards, NJ|Featured Classified|Opinion|
Op Ed: Democrats’ Affordability Problem: An Objective View And Why We Must Vote For Change
In Bernards Township, a young family with two working parents can barely keep up with a record 4.98% school tax and 3.44% municipal tax this year and increased home appraisals. Now they must pay fees for sports and marching band - and yet again this year, over 20 teachers were laid off due to State of New Jersey budget cuts.
Seniors on fixed incomes watch their savings shrink as utility and property bills climb despite promises from Democrats.
A recent graduate can’t find a job locally; local companies like Verizon cut back, but grow in Dallas, Mitsubishi leaves town and pharmaceutical Regeneron with other financial firms have vacated Allen Road leaving empty shell complexes, taking jobs with them. An active lawsuit pending for light manufacturing was just sent back to the Township by a judge recently. 131 Morristown Road had a 210,000-office complex vacant to be replaced with townhomes.
Is more affordable housing on the horizon?
Why Businesses Are Leaving New Jersey and Other State’s Growing.
The evidence clearly shows that New Jersey’s cumulative 14% Corporate Business Tax the nation’s highest compounded by Bernard Township’s high local taxes, long permitting reviews, and sky-high electric utility rates is pushing employers out (look at your own electric bill).
As one executive in town noted:
“Companies have choices on states and townships now, and they’re clearly exercising them.”
Every single departure means lost revenue, forcing higher
taxes on residents - a downward spiral. While other states gained, New Jersey lost over 25,000 jobs to other states over July according to the New Jersey Dept of Labor Jobs Report. (below)
Solutions:
1) Advocate Democratic Governor Sherrill for lower corporate taxes, the Democratic majority for LOWER local Township tax rate to stay competitive with neighboring states and towns as it was under Republican fiscal control.
2) Local economic development outreach to new businesses, retail and groceries like Trader Joe’s, Wegmans to replace departed Stop and Shop at Lyons.
3) Streamline local permitting to attract new tech and pharma investment at existing open commercial sites.
4) Hold Governor Sherrill and the Democratic majority accountable for astronomical electricity costs driving up business and household expenses. Your gas would be much cheaper if not for the 49-cent New Jersey gas tax. Other states like PA and OH have lower rates.
5) Importantly, the new “independent contractor rule” affecting 1.7 million business owners enacted by Democrats on Oct 1, despite business opposition hurts thousands of small businesses in town. (below)
6) Limit Trenton’s overreach and control like The Highlands which have crushed local school districts In Morris, Passaic and Sussex County. The "broken promise" complaint is that Trenton-imposed restrictions without delivering the money. The Highlands Council has been underfunded, and tax-relief and economic programs meant to win local support have been reduced, frozen, or eliminated.
Without a major shift in leadership and structural policy, more towns like Bernards risk losing businesses that sustain them. Talk to your local business owner – get the facts.
This is why I support Republicans to return us to common-sense fiscal values this November and I ask for you to join me.
Douglas Sheldon
14 Benedict Crescent
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