Murphy Wants to Cut Property Tax Relief in Half, Costing Ocean County’s Seniors $250

Senator Jim Holzapfel, Assemblyman Dave Wolfe, and Assemblyman Greg McGuckin (all R-Ocean) joined Ocean County Freeholder Joseph Vicari in calling on Governor Phil Murphy to restore full funding to Homestead Benefit property tax credits for Ocean County’s seniors.

Vicari sent a letter this week to the Governor explaining the harm this cut would have on Ocean County’s large senior population.

“Governor Murphy’s budget proposal would cut property tax credits under the Homestead Benefit program by $250,” said Holzapfel. “Our fixed income seniors don’t have the flexibility in their budgets to absorb such a big cut. The Governor’s plan will really hurt them. That’s why we’re joining Freeholder Vicari to call on Governor Murphy to fully fund the rebates like he promised to do.”

According to the Fiscal Year 2019 Budget in Brief provided by the Murphy Administration (see page 18), the governor has chosen to perpetuate a 50 percent cut to the Homestead Benefit Program in the current year’s budget that was to be fully restored in 2019.

Holzapfel, Wolfe, and McGuckin said the approximately $150 million that’s being cut from property tax rebates could be paid for by shelving approximately $150 million of pay raises Gov. Murphy has agreed to provide to a public employee union in a new contract, which includes 20 percent pay raises going forward.

Under the terms contract, Governor Murphy has also agreed to give three years of retroactive pay raises at the expense of Ocean County seniors.

Many union members will receive checks for back pay ranging from $10,000 to $20,000, while some higher paid workers could receive retroactive payments approaching $40,000.

“While he’s cutting rebates for our seniors by $250, Governor Murphy is shifting funds from property tax relief to pay his union supporters tens of thousands of dollars each,” Holzapfel added. “The Governor should do the right thing and fully fund the property tax rebates that Ocean County seniors deserve.”

vicari-murphy-homestead-cuts