Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin: He's got a big property-tax cut planned but he needs to get it past the governor - unless he takes the advice of a Republican assemblyman.Perhaps you have wondered why the State of New Jersey does not tax Social Security benefits even though the federal government does.
It included this proviso: “In no event, however, shall a tax so levied on personal incomes be levied on payments received under the federal Social Security Act.” Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin's plan to cut property taxes in half for seniors is a lot like the trick Lucy plays on Charley Brown in the comic strip 'Peanuts,' the one in which she asks poor Charley to kick a football and then pulls it away at the last minute.
“Our constituents deserve relief, but they also need to know that they can depend on it,” Auth wrote. “”A bill can be rescinded, but a constitutional amendment will ensure future politicians cannot take the property-tax break away.” Murphy has said he will resist Coughlin’s plan even if it comes to a government shutdown, which could occur if the state budget is not signed into law by July 1.That’s because under our constitution the governor has no say on referendums. They’re entirely up to the Legislature.