Today, 60% of our property tax goes to funding schools. A system that relies on the property owner’s income to keep pace with a school tax that increases as one’s property value increases is a flawed system. Property owner’s income does not increase over time; it decreases and will not keep up as a school tax and property value increase.
To lessen this tax burden, remove school tax from property tax. Make this tax a responsibility that is shared among all residents; not just those who own property. Instead, use earned income as the basis for a school tax and a dedicated sales tax on goods and services that are purchased.
Earned income is the best indicator of what one is able to pay.More importantly, every resident would be made eligible. Everyone who earns an income would contribute regardless if they own property or not. A dedicated sales tax would capture income that is not documented or reported and is only recognized when items are purchased; generally the case for those who use our schools and town services, but don’t pay for them. Homeowners would pay less of a school tax under this shared approach as compared to what they are paying under the current system. Owners no longer could hide behind Farmland assessment on land that is used more to view the Navesink than it is used for true farming. Additional revenue would be gained from those who travel in and out of our State.
Lastly, time has come to level the playing field and to do away with Abbott Districts. Take the revenue that is set aside, at the State level, for school funding and establish a foundation requiring all school districts to apply for. Establish general guidelines and a funding criteria based on need. Most importantly, hold the school district accountable for how the funding was utilized before evaluating the funding needs for the upcoming year.
Patrick Short
Former - Middletown Township Committeeman
6 comments:
Mr. Short provides insight and makes several interesting points worthy of critical examination and debate regarding taxes and how they are collected and applied in New Jersey.
Rising costs and tax rates coupled with stagnent and declining income, especially for seniors who no longer have children in the school system, is an issue that needs to be addressed. I would add that no senior sould be expected to pay more in taxes than what it would cost to educate one student.
I'm in full agreement with Mr. Short. Too bad Christie is too pigheaded to consider it.
The Budget needs to be cut and salaries across the board need to be brought in line with working a 7 hour day, 9 months a year. I understand that principals and supers work all year long, but teachers need to accept that they are given the opportunity to work 3 months if they want to. Alot of them enjoy the summers off and it would be interesting to see how many would stay if you told them it is now a full time, year round job and pay would be adjusted acordingly.
This plan although, not horrible, pushes more burden to people who make more money, not the people who make use of the schools. How is it that charter schools make so little money go so far. Maybe the "research" should start with effective charter schools to REDUCE costs per pupil. Then we will see change.
Anon 9:15,
Charter schools are a crap shoot at best, more fail than succeed and most are driven by profit not teaching excellence.
Charter schools are not required to higher qualiied or certified teachers or classroom aids.
Research is showing that charter schools are no more effective than non charter schools are in educating our children.
De Union-ize the schools. The Union is the downfall of the entire education system. Unions once protected workers from real problems. Now they work to pad the salries and benefits of the members and don't give a poop about what the members think. Ask any teacher in middletown if the MTEA voted on accepting a pay freeze so that 85 teachers didn't get fired. Never happened, that how much they care about the unions members. Its all about the money, cause by doing that they basically said F the kids!
The police are far more guilty of abuse than any teacher ever thought of being. Abolish their union rights.
BTW corrupt politicians must belong to their own organization of sorts... one of them is worse than the other regardless of party affiliation and their abuses top the list.
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