Tax Amnesty Revenue Figures Better Than Expected, Assembly to Fight for Property Tax Relief

(TRENTON) - Assembly Speaker Joseph J. Roberts, Jr., Assembly Majority Leader Bonnie Watson Coleman and Assembly Budget Committee Chairman Louis D. Greenwald today issued a multimedia package discussing Governor Jon S. Corzine's announcement that the state's tax amnesty program has exceeded revenue projections and what it means for the FY 2010 Budget.

The package contains a video press release on the announcement, audio of same and a transcript of statements from the legislators.

The video can be accessed by clicking here.

A transcript of statements from the legislators is appended below:

Assembly Speaker Joseph J. Roberts, Jr. (D-Camden):
"I want to just take a moment to add to the comments that the Governor made earlier today. I learned last evening, and the members learned this morning, that the tax amnesty program - which I believe closed out on June 15th - has been not just a modest success, but an extraordinary success. In fact, it may have been the most successful tax amnesty program ever on the part of any state in the country."

Assembly Majority Leader Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-Mercer):
"That we are looking at several hundreds of millions of dollars worth of increased revenues was received, obviously, very enthusiastically."

Roberts:
"I think that the Governor said that there has already been $600 million received, with thousands and thousands of envelopes still to be opened and processed. I think it's another example of how proactive this governor, this administration and this legislature have been in trying to get in every single dollar that we possibly can."

Assemblyman Louis D. Greenwald (D-Camden), Budget Committee Chairman:
"It's consistent with what we have said throughout this budget process, I think, about being cautious, being conservative and taking a very business-like approach to this. We didn't count these revenues before they were in. We took a very conservative number and it's consistent with our principles that we were going to protect the most vulnerable and protect the taxpayers and the property taxpayers of this state."

Roberts:
"I want to associate myself completely with the Governor's comments that this new revenue needs to be used dollar for dollar to reduce property taxes. The Governor said that that was his top priority, it is my top priority, it is our top priority."

Watson Coleman:
"I think that this is a recognition that there are things happening in New Jersey - initiated by New Jersey as well as helped by the federal government - that is helping to stimulate the economy and the hopefulness and the expectations of the people: making an income, being able to take care of their families, stay in their homes, and work good jobs. And that's good news."