TRENTON — Gov. Chris Christie and the state’s top Democrats plan to meet this afternoon to discuss the “tool kit” measures to help towns curtail property taxes. Christie, Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D-Gloucester) and Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver (D-Essex) have a 3 p.m. meeting in the governor’s office, according to Christie spokesman Michael Drewniak. On Friday, Christie said he...
Sen. Stephen Sweeney (D-Gloucester) and Assemblywoman Sheila Oliver (D-Essex).TRENTON — Gov. Chris Christie and the state’s top Democrats plan to meet this afternoon to discuss the “tool kit” measures to help towns curtail property taxes.
Christie, Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D-Gloucester) and Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver (D-Essex) have a 3 p.m. meeting in the governor’s office, according to Christie spokesman Michael Drewniak.
On Friday, Christie said he planned to meet with Democratic legislative leaders today to discuss the tool kit.
The “tool kit” is designed to help municipalities meet a 2 percent property tax cap that takes effect in January. Some minor bills have been passed or are advancing through the Legislature, but Christie and the Democrats have butted heads on arbitration reform and civil service reform – the two biggest pieces.
Christie has called for a hard 2 percent cap on compensation growth in arbitration awards for police and firefighters, but Democrats want to exempt pension and health benefit costs and let the bill expire after three years to examine its effects. A Democratic compromise bill also would allow raises to exceed 2 percent in any given year, as long as they don’t average out to more than that for the life of the contract.
Previous coverage:
• Gov. Christie, Democratic lawmakers remain deadlocked on latest property tax cap reforms
• Making sense of Gov. Christie's local government tool kit
• N.J. Assembly Republicans continue to pressure Democrats on property tax 'toolkit' bills