Your Turn
Lawrence Reisch
Guest Column
Changes to school funding formula critical

Having flown 53 combat missions as a member of a B-24 bomber crew in the South Pacific during World War II, I am taking the liberty of writing this letter directed at our governor, James E. McGreevey, and the entire membership of the Legislature of the state of New Jersey.

The current system of funding school education through property taxes involves a regressive tax that is no longer acceptable to New Jersey homeowners, specifically senior citizens on fixed in-comes. The seniors and retirees of this state have seen their standard of living continuously erode, due in large part to the steady escalation of property taxes that are linked to the ever-rising school taxes.

Governor, your latest proposal to remedy this unacceptable situation is only a Band-Aid solution to this major problem. Do you really expect the seniors and homeowners of this state to endorse the possibility of a constitutional convention on property taxes that will most likely not convene for another year or two? Of course not. We seniors do not buy green bananas today.

Governor, now is the time for change. Now is the time for you, as the leader of this state, to step up to the plate and hit a home run. Call for a special session of the Legislature this summer or early fall to remedy this major problem. After all, your party has the majority in both the Senate and Assembly.

There is no excuse for inaction. Now is the time for the Legislature to end its procrastination on this issue and accept its responsibility to legislate. Repeal this regressive tax and stop stonewalling this issue as has been done for the past 15-20 years.

Questions will be asked. Will there be an increase in the state income tax? Yes. Will the seniors, retirees and the vast majority of homeowners be better off if this regressive tax is repealed? Absolutely.

Governor, I have been a member of the Democratic Party all my adult life. I would hate to see a slogan like "Anybody But McGreevey" in 2005, but I fear that one might be created if you do not immediately put into motion a realistic and effective change in the way education is funded by our property taxes.

Lawrence Reisch is a resident of Monroe