Property Tax Relief Subject of Town Hall Meeting in Lawrence

Editor's Note: The following is a news release issued by the New Jersey Senate Democrats.

Senate President Steve Sweeney and Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg announced Monday that they will be holding a series of town hall meetings across New Jersey to discuss the Democrats' plan to provide property tax relief to middle class New Jersey.

Earlier this month, Democrats unveiled a proposal that would reduce by 10 percent the property tax burden of New Jerseyans earning less than $250,000 a year. Renters would receive $200 a year after full phase in of the plan.

Under the plan, a family earning the state's median income of $69,811 with property taxes at the state average of $7,758.20 would save $775.82 under the Senate proposal. Under the governor's proposed income tax scheme, they would save just $97.78; meanwhile a millionaire would get a $7,265.75 tax break and those earning $3 million would save $25,200 a year.

"Our plan would put every penny of relief in the hands of middle class and working class New Jersey," said Sweeney. "These are the families whose property taxes have gone up 20 percent under Chris Christie. We are going to go directly to the people so they can see how they would benefit under our plan versus the governor's income tax giveaway scheme to millionaires."

"These town hall forums are an opportunity to engage New Jerseyans in an open discussion about which makes more sense -- the Senate Democratic Plan to reduce property taxes for the middle class or the governor's income tax windfall to the wealthy. We want to hear from local residents in their home communities. We want to answer their questions. We want to hear their concerns. And we look forward to proving how our plan provides real property tax savings with the tax that is the real burden to middle class New Jersey," said Weinberg.

The first meeting will be held Wednesday, March 21, at 7 p.m. at the , 2751 Brunswick Pike, Lawrence Township (Mercer County). The meeting is open to the public and press.

Future meeting dates and locations will be announced in the coming weeks. For further details on the Senate Democrats’ plan to reduce the property tax burden on middle class New Jersey, please visit www.realreliefnj.net.