Governor Weighs in on Municipal Tax Referendum

Gov. Chris Christie thinks voters should vote against special tax referendums. Speaking on New Jersey 101.5's Ask the Governor show (as reported by NJ.com), Christie said voters should not allow towns to get around the 2 percent property tax cap.

"I know they’re looking for ways to get around the cap," Christie said of the towns on 101.5’s Ask the Governor show. "They gotta find other things to cut. I think you call their bluff."

Lawrence Township is proposing that the municipal tax rate be increase 14 cents, to 98 cents per $100 of assessed valuation. A 5-cent increase is covered under the 2 percent cap, but the additional 9 cents are needed to maintain municipal trash collection, The township will levy a $28 a month fee for trash collection if the referendum fails, township officials say.

A former Lawrence mayor, Carol Harle, has been , dressed as Uncle Sam and carrying a "Vote No" sign.

Lawrence Township Manager Richard Krawczun told NJ.com that the referendum is "proactive" and being caused by "a large number of tax appeals over a very short amount of time."