Message from Councilman Roc White | June 29, 2022
A week before Gov. Phil Murphy delivered his fiscal ’23 budget address on March 8, I was pleased to join my fellow township leaders in calling for the governor to prioritize property tax relief for municipalities like Scotch Plains, which has historically been burdened with higher taxes.
As the governor developed a $50.6 billion spending plan, it was clear that he heard from us, as well as many other local officials from suburban communities, expanding property tax relief to reach more than 2 million homeowners statewide.
The expanded ANCHOR program brings $2 billion in relief to both owners and renters within income guidelines for working and middle-class families.
No doubt, we welcome that our governor, as well as leaders within the Senate and Assembly, have heard our concerns. We’ve been steadily urging state leaders to make Scotch Plains more affordable for our residents, and the ANCHOR program offers real and meaningful tax relief. I am especially pleased that this program reaches into our middle-class communities and will have a substantial effect.
Under the program, Scotch Plains homeowners with incomes of up to $150,000 will see a savings up to $1,500; while households with incomes between $150,000 and $250,000 will get $1,000 in tax relief. Moreover, renters with incomes up to $150,000 should expect $450 in relief to help offset rent increases.
The ANCHOR program expands on and replaces the Homestead Rebate Program, which served 470,000 homeowners annually and provided an average benefit of $628. Renters were not eligible for the Homestead program, but ANCHOR recognizes that rents are often raised to offset rising property taxes. ANCHOR makes more than four times more New Jerseyans eligible to receive a property tax rebate when compared with Homestead.
It is important that such a tax relief program not be a one-shot deal for our taxpayers. I join with Senate President Nick Scutari, who wants to ensure that relief programs are sustainable and additional tax cuts and investments continue beyond this upcoming fiscal year.
Over the past three years, Scotch Plains has done its part to keep municipal taxes down, as the rate has been stabilized. In fact, the media recently reported that municipal taxes here are among the lowest in the state, compared with the rest of the property tax bill. The main reason has been our continual belt-tightening, ensuring tax money is only spent where absolutely needed.
To continue the momentum, state and local officials need to continue working in tandem to focus on property tax relief, spending less, investing more and creating a more sustainable tax base to build ongoing affordability for all of our residents.
