NJ Property taxes are stealing our way of life (renting, insurance)
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Let's start with the biggest chunk of where our property tax dollars go: the school system. Now, paying teachers a fair wage is one thing, but paying them a fair wage plus another 40-50% in non-cash benefits upfront is another. What profession do you know pays up to $100,000+ in cash plus another $60,000 lifetime annuity? Also, don't forget they only work about 228 days when you factor in summer vacation, every holiday you can imagine plus sick time, plus the free medical insurance they receive. That's right all of this, plus they still have the gumption to complain they don't make enough money.
Unless they can deliver 100% or close to it in terms of; academically qualified competent young adults into society, tell me why we continue to cater to their demands?
Let's start with the biggest chunk of where our property tax dollars go: the school system. Now, paying teachers a fair wage is one thing, but paying them a fair wage plus another 40-50% in non-cash benefits upfront is another. What profession do you know pays up to $100,000+ in cash plus another $60,000 lifetime annuity? Also, don't forget they only work about 228 days when you factor in summer vacation, every holiday you can imagine plus sick time, plus the free medical insurance they receive. That's right all of this, plus they still have the gumption to complain they don't make enough money.
Unless they can deliver 100% or close to it in terms of; academically qualified competent young adults into society, tell me why we continue to cater to their demands?
I hear you on this. I am so tired of listening to them complain. I was blown away when my friends told me that they just got a new contract with raises and they got checks with retro pay too. Every place I turn to someone is losing their job and they can't afford to pay their mortgages and already high taxes but the teachers are getting raises. With that I can only assume our Taxes will go up.
Right - half your tax bill goes to K-12 education. The other half is normally divided between your town and your county. Your county takes the money for roads, libraries, county jail, county park system, etc.
I could understand complaining about high education taxes if you weren't getting anything for your money but NJ ranks in the top 4 in the country in almost every indicator of having a good public school system - and in most categories is #1 or #2. I have quite a few friends who are teachers. Some in NJ some in Philly - it's just like any other industry - they follow the money. If your district doesn't want to pay the going rate they won't attract the best and brightest teachers.
And you gotta get a grip with these stats from Mayflower - as if they're the only moving company out there or that most people don't move themselves. If people want to move, good for them, but more than enough people are moving into the state to replace them. If the state was actually losing population property values would be in free fall right now.
I'll never begrudge teachers a decent salary, and quite frankly, the salaries aren't what's driving up our taxes so much anyway. The pension system and health care is what's killing us, as well as the funneling of suburban money to the cities. It's a lethal combination.
Teachers should be enrolled in a 401K and chip in for their health benefits. Someone has to stand up to the NJEA. If the teachers strike, "go Middletown on them" and send them to jail.
I don't doubt that NJ has high property taxes; I had my chance to experience them until I moved out of state 7 years ago. But the grass on the other side is not be as green as you may think ... here in NC the state income tax is MUCH higher than in NJ. In fact, my total tax burden was not more than 10% less that first year I was here. I'm sure taxes increased there, as they did here, since then. But NJ actually does not fare too much worse than NC when you look at the stats on total tax burden.
Also for those hoping to retire on pension, note NC does NOT offer a pension income exclusion except if you are a retired federal employee. Sorry NJEA retirees! I understand NJ excludes on the order of $20K pension income. That will help save you enough to pay the high preoperty taxes!
what about our municiple officials getting over 100,000 to run the towns or police officers getting 95,000 year. i live in aberdeen and i know there are a few officers who are getting over 75,000 year.yes they do a dangerous job but in aberdeen. this is not camden or newark where im sure they dont get that much.. as i've said before in my town i've noticed 2 brand new suv's that the chief of police drives around in. why??????
what about our municiple officials getting over 100,000 to run the towns or police officers getting 95,000 year. i live in aberdeen and i know there are a few officers who are getting over 75,000 year.yes they do a dangerous job but in aberdeen. this is not camden or newark where im sure they dont get that much.. as i've said before in my town i've noticed 2 brand new suv's that the chief of police drives around in. why??????
I understand your gripe, but as a practical matter, don't assume that the guy didn't get a great deal on his SUV. Today's economic enviornment has made car dealers desperate to move inventory "at any price" including one that may hurt their bottom line, but is far less costly than maintaining it on their lot.
Other than that, yes, there is overcompensation across most public-sector jobs. The problem most of society doesn't understand is once you award raises, you can not institute across the board wage decreases to unionized folks, short of firing them. Most people do not have the stomach for firing their local cop or teacher, especially if they do a good job, for which the most part they do. The key here is to recognize a 5% annual raise will compound over time to a near "tripling" of their salary over twenty years. This alone will cause the "unfunded benefits" portion; meaning pension, healthcare and associated goodies to triple.
The state has enormous liablilites today, if you continue to re-elect these buffoons into office, your kids will have "no" future tomorrow. Think about that come election day, before you flip the switch. Never mind the guy running is your next door neighbor, does it look like he's doing a good job for you now?
what about our municiple officials getting over 100,000 to run the towns or police officers getting 95,000 year. i live in aberdeen and i know there are a few officers who are getting over 75,000 year.yes they do a dangerous job but in aberdeen. this is not camden or newark where im sure they dont get that much.. as i've said before in my town i've noticed 2 brand new suv's that the chief of police drives around in. why??????
A municipal administrator actually has a very difficult job that takes someone with very specialized training to accomplish. Not only do you have to, essentially, run the whole town single-handedly (put into place policy orders from the governing body) but you have to be familiar with EVERY state agency, how it works, and how to go about getting grants, permits, certifications, everything.
And while police officers are well paid in this state, it's the same issue as with the teachers. Their salaries aren't killing us one bit - the benefits are. The state can't sustain hiring people and then paying them and providing their health care until they literally die. Public employees should be enrolled in a sensible 401K and contribute to their health benefits. Additionally, local police departments in most of suburban New Jersey should be abolished and stronger county sheriff's departments should take over traditional law enforcement duties.
Right - half your tax bill goes to K-12 education. The other half is normally divided between your town and your county. Your county takes the money for roads, libraries, county jail, county park system, etc.
I could understand complaining about high education taxes if you weren't getting anything for your money but NJ ranks in the top 4 in the country in almost every indicator of having a good public school system - and in most categories is #1 or #2. I have quite a few friends who are teachers. Some in NJ some in Philly - it's just like any other industry - they follow the money. If your district doesn't want to pay the going rate they won't attract the best and brightest teachers.
And you gotta get a grip with these stats from Mayflower - as if they're the only moving company out there or that most people don't move themselves. If people want to move, good for them, but more than enough people are moving into the state to replace them. If the state was actually losing population property values would be in free fall right now.
Is it that the school systems are good or the parents are professional and make sure our kids go to school and do their homework? Do NJ schools have a special magic text book that is better than school says in NC or FL? I think NJ schools are "good" is because the parenting is good as both parents are usually professionals that teach their kids good values about education. Teachers do nothing more than read out from a text book and make sure we follow a syllabus.
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