Legislators from Ocean County tell Gov. McGreevey they will hike the N.J. income tax.
WASHINGTON – Hindsight may be 20-20, but for two Republican legislators from Ocean County, the Florio past has taught little except how to be double-crossed by big government politicians.
Reports indicate that Sen. Leonard Connors (R-Ocean) and Assemblyman Chris Connors (R-Ocean) have informed Gov. McGreevey and legislative leaders that they would support an income tax increase on those who make at least $500,000 a year. With a divided 20-20 Senate, Sen. Connors\’ could provide the one Republican vote needed for passage.
Senator Leonard Connors signed the Americans for Tax Reform (ATR) Taxpayer Protection Pledge September 18, 2000 and Assemblyman Chris Connors signed the pledge October 10, 1995. The Pledge is a promise by elected officials to "oppose and vote against any and all efforts to increase taxes," and if both legislators do vote for the tax hike they will violate that promise to taxpayers and their constituents.
"There is absolutely no justification to break the pledge not to raise taxes," said taxpayer advocate Grover Norquist, who heads ATR in Washington. "These legislators signed the pledge to help get elected, and breaking this pledge is tantamount to lying to the voters of the 9th District. Connors and Connors should reconsider their position or realize they have broken a very important commitment to New Jersey taxpayers."
Tax-and-spend politicians call the tax hike proposal a "tax on the wealthy." However, what many do not realize is that small businesses pay the individual income tax rather than a corporate tax. In fact, 73 percent of all New Jersey tax filers making above $250,000 are small businesses such as Subchapter S and partnerships. Thus, the proposed tax increase is not a tax on the "wealthy," but rather a tax on small businesses that provide the jobs and incomes for working families.
"After Gov. McGreevey mugged the top corporations in the state with his corporate tax hike, he and his big-government allies are targeting small business men and women, who are the backbone of the Garden State economy," continued Norquist. "As legislators elected on a promise against tax hikes, Senator Connors and Assemblyman Connors need to stand up to the governor and do what is right for their constituents and the state, not the special interests that are making a fortune from New Jersey taxpayers under the McGreevey administration."