GOP gov's revised proposal has 2.5 percent cap, adds exception for existing union contracts, mandates public referendum for spending over cap — WATCH VIDEO
TRENTON — Gov. Chris Christie opened a special legislative session this afternoon with a brief speech calling on Democrats to bring skyrocketing property taxes under control either through a constitutional amendment limiting tax hikes or a statutory cap that would do roughly the same thing.
Christie, a Republican, said he was offering a compromise to the Democrat-controlled Legislature in order to make the state more affordable.
"Before we leave for the summer, let us finish the job," Christie said after thanking the Democrats for joining with him in passing an austere state budget on Tuesday. "We must act and we must act now...We must help the citizens take back their state."
The governor spoke for just over 13 minutes. The speech marked the culmination of a chaotic 20 hours during which it was unclear whether the Legislature would convene or let Christie make an address. At one point, it was thought the governor might make two speeches and that Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver might bar senators from listening in.
Christie called the special session to try and force lawmakers to begin the process of putting his proposed amendment to cap tax hikes at 2.5 percent on the November ballot. The deadline for that is July 7. His proposal is part of his "toolkit" for local governments to control spending and the cap could be overridden only by local referendum.
Gov. Chris Christie looks out onto the floor of the Assembly Chamber at the State House this afternoon with Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver (D-Essex) (above left) and Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D-Gloucester) (above right) standing behind him as he prepares to call on state legislators to act on his 2.5 percent constitutional cap on property taxes.Today's proposal would require the cap to be the same 2.5 percent, it would add a new exception for existing union contracts and would also mandate public referendum for spending to go above the "hard" cap.
Democrats had mixed reactions to Christie's offer.
Assembly Majority Leader Joe Cryan (D-Union) said "it's still his way or the highway. The highway just has another lane."
Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver, however, said many of the elements Christie outlined were "music to the ears of some members of the General Assembly." She said "he left the door open for some form of compromise."
Sen. Paul Sarlo (D-Bergen), the chairman of the budget committee, said he didn't know exactly what to say. "I've got to think about it for a moment. Give me a moment here."
Sen. Richard Codey (D-Essex) said Christie "is a realist. He's come very far in his thinking and it's more in line with the Democratic proposal to keep down property taxes. It's a great start."
More coverage:
• Gov. Chris Christie to address N.J. Assembly Dems on property tax reform
• Gov. Christie to tell N.J. lawmakers job is 'only half done' at special joint session of Legislature
• Gov. Chris Christie calls special legislative session on N.J. property tax overhaul
• Gov. Chris Christie calls special legislative session on N.J. property tax overhaul
• N.J. Assembly panel passes 2.9 percent property tax cap
• Proposed 2.9 percent tax cap, budget bills are set for full N.J. Legislature vote
• Sweeney's 2.9 percent property tax cap plan is approved by N.J. senate committee
• Massachusetts shows implications of Gov. Christie's proposed 2.5 percent property tax cap
| Chris Christie on 2.9 percent property tax cap bill |