Codey
tosses convention proposal to successor
Wednesday, July 13, 2005 • BY
TOM HESTER • Star-Ledger Staff
Acting Gov. Richard Codey put the idea of
holding a constitutional convention on property taxes next
year out of its lingering misery yesterday, saying he will
leave the issue for the next governor to handle.
Instead, Codey said he foresees the
convening of a special session of the Legislature next
spring to grapple with the state's burdensome property tax
system.
"That will be done in consultation with
the new governor," Codey said. "I would expect myself that
probably in April there will be a special session of the
Legislature devoted exclusively to that."
U.S. Sen. Jon Corzine, the Democratic
gubernatorial candidate, supports the convention idea but
also wants a special legislative session, according to
Ivette Mendez, his spokeswoman.
"If elected, he intends to call a special
session of the Legislature in the early months of 2006 to
focus on property taxes," Mendez said. "That would hold true
if the convention question does not get on this year's
ballot. Additionally, he leans toward a citizens' convention
so we can hardwire a solution into the state
constitution."
Doug Forrester, the Republican
gubernatorial candidate, favors cutting government spending
to lower property taxes rather than convening a convention
or special session.
Assembly Majority Leader Joseph Roberts
(D-Camden), a key proponent of a convention and the
front-runner to become speaker of the lower house in
January, said, "While I am disappointed there has been no
further action on the citizens' convention legislation after
approval on two occasions by the Assembly, I am encouraged
by Senator Corzine's expression of support for a property
tax convention."
The Assembly in May approved legislation
that if approved by the Senate and Codey, would have asked
voters if they wanted a convention next year. But the
measure quickly stalled in the Senate where the Democratic
majority preferred a special session.
Convention advocates -- including the New
Jersey League of Municipalities, the AARP and the League of
Women Voters -- have been seeking a meeting with Codey for a
last ditch effort to have him call in the Legislature by
Aug. 8, the deadline for putting the convention proposal on
this fall's ballot. Kelley Heck, Codey's spokeswoman, said
"the governor is open to considering the meeting request."
But no date has been set.
"It is unfortunate that we have to wait
until next year to hear what a new governor has to say about
a constitutional convention and to hear what the new
Assembly leadership will say about a special session," said
William Dressel, League of Municipalities director. "We are
hopeful the governor will meet with us shortly and provide
some insight as to what his thoughts are for dealing with
the immediate issue."
Former state Sen. Bill Schluter
(R-Hunterdon), who initially proposed a convention in 2000,
said proponents should not hold their breath waiting for
one.
"If it does not happen by August 8, a
convention would not happen for another three years," he
said. "The Legislature, in accordance with its past
performance, will never have a convention in 2007, the year
it is up for re-election."
© 2005 The Star-Ledger. Used by NJ.com with
permission.
|