Pub. 16 2017-2018 Issue 2

N E W J E R S E Y C O A L I T I O N O F A U T O M O T I V E R E T A I L E R S 15 new jersey auto retailer W W W . N J C A R . O R G Kim has also put forward a plan to take the politics out of how New Jersey handles transportation projects, which has led to deteriorating infrastructure and sky-high costs. As governor, she says shewill implement an evidence-based transportation funding formula that prioritizes projects based on need, congestion relief, safety and economic development. This will allow the State to undertake more projects with existing revenues. She also advocates for an independently-elected attorney gen- eral to serve as an impartial watchdog over the governor and the Legislature and to ensure public officials are accountable to the people who elected them. However,Guadagno sees property taxes as the leading reasonwhy so many residents are choosing to leave New Jersey. She believes families don’tmovehere andbusinesses have ahard time attracting the top talent here because it is simply too expensive to live, raise a family and enjoy a high quality of life here. The result of this crisis led her to make property tax relief the center of her agenda. “I have takenapledge fewpoliticianswould ever dreamofmaking. If I don’t lower property taxes during my first term as governor, then I won’t run for a second. That’s how serious I am about making New Jersey more affordable.” While the 2 percent cap on property taxes has slowed the rise in property taxes, she says it has done little to actually lower the tax burden on New Jersey families. As governor, Guadagno would propose long-term solutions to lower the property tax burden in New Jersey and work to deliver immediate relief for the working class families who need it most. Her proposal would cap the school portionof ahomeowner’s prop- erty tax bill to 5 percent of their household income, ensuring no New Jersey family would have to leave our State due to untenable property taxes. For example, if a householdmakes $100,000 in in- come annually, theywouldnot paymore than5 percent, or $5,000, towards the school portionof their property tax.Anyamount owed in excess of the 5 percent circuit breaker threshold will be applied directly to the homeowner’s property tax bill as a credit. According toGuadagno, a family making New Jersey’s median household income of $72,000 will save an average of $895 on their property taxes annually. Her proposal will apply to primary residences only and be capped at $3,000 annually. Guadagno thinks that in November, New Jerseyans should vote their pocketbooks. Her opponent, former Goldman Sachs banker Phil Murphy, spent his career on Wall Street and has proposed billions in additional State government spending. He also admitted he would increase taxes by at least $1.3 billion to pay for his proposals, and hinted at even more tax increases to come. Guadagno thinks New Jersey tried that kind of Wall Street approach once before under Jon Corzine, and it would only make New Jersey less affordable. “This campaign is bigger than party affiliation,” she says. “It is about the future – not the past – and making our State better “It’s time to put the hardworking taxpayers of New Jersey first so that we can once again make New Jersey an affordable place to live, work and raise a family.” for all New Jerseyans. It’s time to put the hardworking taxpay- ers of New Jersey first so that we can once again make New Jersey an affordable place to live, work and raise a family.” To learn more about Kim Guadagno’s platform and to stay up to date on the campaign, go to www.KimForNJ.com .