Rible & Angelini: Corzine Administration Has Outlawed School Boards

By Tara Fantini

Assemblyman Dave Rible and Assemblywoman Mary Pat Angelini criticized the Corzine administration today for supporting a law that makes it illegal for a school board to lower taxes on area residents.

In March, the Lake Como school board voted to approve a budget that cut last year’s spending by $16,000 in order to provide a small tax decrease to residents.

“What should have been a cause for celebration caused Trenton bureaucrats concern and bewilderment,” said Rible. “A ridiculous state law actually makes it illegal for school boards to lower property taxes.”

After the board submitted their budget proposal for approval, it was quickly rejected by the Corzine administration because of a law that makes it illegal for school boards to decrease the amount that they tax their residents.

“During these tough economic times, it is important that we support measures that cut costs for taxpayers,” said Angelini. “This law needs to be revised to assist the struggling middle class residents who desperately need a break from their high property taxes.”

Under the School Funding Reform Act of 2008, there is a set amount of property taxes that must be raised to fund schools and school boards cannot reduce this rate. Adding insult to injury, the school board must now pay to hold an election on their budget despite the fact that the results will be meaningless.

“No matter what the votes say in two weeks, the Corzine administration will not allow the tax rate to be reduced,” said Rible. “Elections under third world dictatorships are more meaningful.”

“A law outlawing tax cuts is absurd,” said Angelini. “I want to work with the Corzine administration and other state elected officials to get this unreasonable law off the books to provide much-needed property tax relief.”