Legislature begins second day of special session with angry debate

Gov. Chris Christie and Democrats spar over property tax cap

TRENTON — The second day of a special legislative session began at 9 this morning with more angry debate and accusations of political gimmickry, but without a clear indication of where the showdown over property tax limits would head.

Despite an order from Gov. Chris Christie for all 120 members of the Legislature to convene, and a threat of a lawsuit if they refuse, the Democratic leadership called upon only members of specific committees to arrive. The Senate Budget Committee kicked off the day with an hour-and-a-half-long meeting, setting an agenda to discuss property taxes throughout the summer.

Christie was "trying to create a fake crisis with a fake deadline," said Sen. Paul Sarlo (D-Bergen), budget committee chairman said in an opening statement. "If the governor was truly serious about providing property tax relief this year, he could have included property tax relief in his budget."

Sarlo said there was nothing the Legislature could do today - or over the holiday weekend - that would affect property taxes immediately, because municipal and school budgets are already in place for 2010.

Republicans bristled at his blistering remarks.

"Fake crisis, are you kidding me?" said Sen. Kevin O'Toole (R-Essex). He called property taxes "a runaway train."

Democrats say they are working on the issue the governor identified: a plan to place a more stringent limit on annual local property tax increases.

Senate Minority Leader Tom Kean (R-Union) said all 17 Republican senators would be in for a 12:30 p.m. session, as Christie requested.

In a speech to the full Legislature Thursday, Christie said he would accept a property tax cap of 2.5 percent implemented by law - instead of constitutional amendment as he originally wanted - with few exceptions. The Legislature has passed a law that would limit annual increases to 2.9 percent with several exceptions for rising health care and energy costs, pension costs and other increases described as beyond municipalities' control.

The budget committee is discussing a schedule for meeting over the summer to discuss property taxes, school funding and the governor's "tool kit," a series of laws that would give towns more power over public worker unions.

More Video Coverage:

• Special N.J. legislative session kicks off property tax cap showdown

• Gov. Chris Christie's prepared speech to the Legislature

• Gov. Christie to tell N.J. lawmakers job is 'only half done' at special joint session of Legislature

• N.J. Assembly panel passes 2.9 percent property tax cap