One of the biggest factors in the exodus of New Jersey residents is the exorbitant property taxes we pay. Some of us have family members and friends who have moved to states with lower taxes.
We love our state, and many of us hang on in the hope that someday we can somehow find some relief from the state with the highest property taxes in the country. Well, there may be a glimmer of hope.
There is a state in the middle of the country that is proposing to abolish property taxes. Yes, eliminate them. For many people, this is the worst of all taxes. You’ll be paying for something you’ve already paid for and will own forever.
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North Dakota is considering eliminating property taxes in the state. A proposal called Measure 4 is on the ballot this year in the state. Rick Becker, president of the group that put Measure 4 on the North Dakota ballot.
He noted that the ballot measure would eliminate residential, commercial and agricultural property taxes.
Becker feels that if North Dakota passes the bill, other states could follow suit. States including Texas, Michigan and Nebraska are considering similar measures. Some opponents of the idea acknowledge that some changes are needed to property taxes, but it’s a bridge too far to actually hit the sledgehammer.
People are wondering how to fund vital local services like schools, police, parks, and roads. Perhaps a local sales tax could fill the gap.
Whatever the answer to alternative funding sources, it is clear that something needs to be done. They’re even more fed up in states like North Dakota, where the average property tax bill is around $2,700. The average in New Jersey is more than three times that, with the state leading the way with an average tax bill of about $8,600.
So we’ll have to wait and see if brave residents of far-flung states like North Dakota will take the lead. So can New Jersey jump on the bandwagon? I hate to be pessimistic, but don’t hold your breath.
Average property tax in New Jersey
These are the average county and city property taxes for 2023. Data comes from the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs.
Gallery credit: New Jersey 101.5
Top 20 New Jersey towns with the highest property taxes
These are the 20 New Jersey towns with the highest average property tax bills in 2023, according to data from the Department of Community Affairs.
Gallery credit: Rick Rickman
The opinions expressed in the post above are solely those of New Jersey 101.5 talk show host Dennis Malloy.
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