The “dumb growth” that’s damaging New Jersey’s environment and hollowing out many older communities is driven in large measure by New Jersey’s broken property tax system. The over-reliance on property taxes forces communities to chase new development — even when the development doesn’t fit the community’s vision or character, adds to its traffic problems or eliminates its open space.
New Jersey Future Blog
Property Tax System Broken, Too
Tuesday, March 26th, 2002Transit Towns Good Places To Grow
Friday, March 8th, 2002Rebuilding transit communities frequently means reviving downtowns, both large and small, along with a wide range of housing options, from brownstones, to apartments to bungalows. It also means providing more choice in how to get around, from train, to bus, to simply walking.
Leaders of the Pack
Monday, February 18th, 2002The nation’s most densely populated state took an important step toward curbing sprawl Jan. 31 with the creation of a Smart Growth Policy Council within the governor’s office. Made up of Cabinet heads and leaders of key state agencies, the council will meet bi-monthly or as needed.
The Housing Hunt
Wednesday, January 23rd, 2002New Jersey Future urges the adoption of the growth share approach. Growth share alone will not supply all of the affordable housing New Jersey so desperately needs. But it is a step in the right direction that will help communities better manage sprawling development as they provide much needed housing for New Jersey workers and families.
A Step Away from Cleaner Water
Thursday, January 10th, 2002In addition to preserving land, New Jersey needs new rules that steer development away from open areas we depend on for clean water.
Real Winter Warmth?
Tuesday, December 11th, 2001The way we use our land in New Jersey is changing our climate, and in turn, could dramatically change our economy and way of life.
New Taxes or No, Tax System Needs Repair
Friday, November 30th, 2001UNINTENDED TAX CONSEQUENCES As New Jersey’s leaders argued this week how best to live within state means without raising taxes, the Fund for New Jersey reported that nearly half of all state and local taxes collected in New Jersey come […]
New Priorities Call For Better Coordination, Oversight of Planning
Wednesday, October 31st, 2001NEW PLANNING PRIORITIES In the League of Women Voters’ debate, New Jersey’s Democratic candidate for Governor reaffirmed he would prohibit state spending that is inconsistent with New Jersey’s State Plan. The Republican candidate responded affirmatively as well for the first […]
Farmland Tax Policies Work Against Preservation
Wednesday, October 10th, 2001New Jersey, as virtually all other states, helps its farmers stay profitable with preferential property tax treatment. Known as “farm-value assessment,” this tax policy sharply reduces the property tax on “actively devoted farmland.”
Building Stronger Communities by Tax Sharing
Thursday, September 20th, 2001TAXES AND SHARING New Jersey’s property tax rates vary widely by community, but with a common pattern: Communities with the largest needs and least ability to pay consistently bear the highest tax rates, while communities boasting the lowest tax rates […]