The Time is Now For Shared Services, Property Tax Savings

Assembly Sponsors of Shared Services Legislation Say Taxpayers Need Real Reform Now

(TRENTON)—Assemblywoman Pamela Lampitt (D-Camden) and Assemblyman Paul Moriarty (D-Gloucester) today announced the introduction of Assembly Bill 3918, which would save taxpayer dollars by promoting the sharing of services by local government entities. A-3918 creates a real financial disincentive for local governments that refuse to save their taxpayers money through sharing services and is the Assembly companion to reform legislation unveiled by Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D-Gloucester).

"Across New Jersey, families are struggling under a crushing property tax burden," said Lampitt. "The time is now for shared services. This legislation will save taxpayer dollars, reduce redundancies, and promote more cost-effective governments. In providing consequences for towns that shortsightedly refuse to share services, this legislation puts taxpayers first."

"With property taxes rising, seniors and middle-class families simply can't afford to wait for real shared services reform," said Moriarty. "Government can and should be more efficient, and towns that refuse to save their taxpayers money by sharing services should face real consequences for that refusal. This legislation provides those consequences, and I look forward to working with Senate President Sweeney and my Assembly colleagues to pass this needed bill."

Under the legislation, the New Jersey Local Unit Alignment, Reorganization and Consolidation Commission (LUARCC) would identify potential tax savings through shared services by studying local government entities, including county, municipal and school governing bodies. If a study identified potential savings in the form of shared services, these entities would face a public referendum on implementation. Towns that fail to pass or refuse to implement the savings would face a loss in state aid equal to the savings proposed by the service sharing.

"In these tough economic times, government must look for new ways to reduce the property tax burden on families," said Moriarty. "This legislation will accomplish those goals. The state offers plenty of 'carrots' for local governments to share services. This legislation adds a 'stick' to those incentives, letting towns know that if they choose inefficiencies over saving tax dollars, they'll face consequences for that choice."

"I look forward to working with Senate President Sweeney, Assemblyman Moriarty, and my Assembly colleagues on both sides of the aisle to pass this important legislation," said Lampitt.