Panel proposes 12 ways to cut taxes Public hearings begin today on the ideas developed by a special legislative committee Thursday, October 26, 2006 • BY TOM HESTER • Star-Ledger Staff One of four special joint legislative committees developing proposals to cut property taxes has come up with a package of a dozen proposals that focus on cutting school costs, encouraging shared services or consolidation and shifting school board and fire district elections. Sen. Bob Smith (D-Middlesex), co-chairman of the Committee on Government Consolidation and Shared Services, said when the panel goes on the road to hold hearings on property taxes, he wants the public to react to specific proposals and not just complain about high taxes. "I want them to focus on ideas, what they are willing to live with," Smith said. "Are they willing to have lesser government? Are they willing to give up boutique government, especially if they have a chance to vote on it? They need to understand they are part of the problem. We have met the enemy and they are us." The package includes four bills related to creating either a single countywide school district or a "super" county schools superintendent. The bills would place purchasing, human services, curriculum and contract negotiations at the county level. Four proposals involve moving towns or school districts to share the cost of public services or consolidate. Of the four, three would encourage the action with promises of state aid, and the other would create a state board that would mandate it. Two bills would move school board elections from April and fire district elections from February to the November general election to promote more voter participation. One of the two remaining proposals would call for a statewide referendum on moving the municipal responsibilities of tax assessment, health inspections and animal control to the county level. The other would mandate more public disclosure of school budget information. Smith said the committee's proposals, as well as those shaping up in three other committees, are being discussed with the aides of Gov. Jon Corzine, Senate President Richard J. Codey (D-Essex) and Assembly Speaker Joseph Roberts (D-Camden). Smith said his panel's 12 proposals can be expected to face amendments before regular legislative committees, but will remain basically the same. "We are trying to be thorough, it's tough," he said. "We will sit down with the Senate president, the speaker and the governor and see what they are willing to do." Assemblyman John S. Wisniewski (D-Middlesex), the committee's other co-chairman, said the public's input on the proposals is welcome. "It's important for us to gauge public reaction, its support or non-support for any ideas we've created," he said. "This cannot be a top-down process. We can't say to local governing bodies and school boards, 'Here, deal with it.' The public must have a role or it fundamentally won't work." The committee will hold a public hearing today at Bordentown Township Hall, Nov. 1 at Freehold Borough Hall, and Nov. 9 at Bergen County Community College. The hearings begin at 7 p.m. Tom Hester covers state government. He may be reached at thester@starledger.com or (609) 292-0557. © 2006 The Star-Ledger. Used by NJ.com with permission.