An annoying trend around the state has begun to take hold. Local municipal governments who have had their bottomless pit of property tax-funded projects closed by the Cap 2.0 law have found a loophole and are exploiting it. The, actually quite obvious, trick is now to take services like trash pick-up off of the local 
budget to remain under the cap, and then charge taxpayers an additional service “usage fee” to cover the costs. Don’t pay the fee? Well then find something to do with your trash.
According to Governor Christie, come July 1 of this year, local government’s wont have that luxury anymore.
During last night’s Ask the Governor program the Governor stated that he will sign a bill being sponsored by Senator Sweeney this summer to end the practice and keep bringing New Jersey property tax growth down. I would not be surprised to see this provision worked into a final deal in the tax cuts that are currently being negotiated by the two sides.
Count this as another victory for the taxpayers, and another bullet point on the list of “Why You Should Re-Elect Governor Christie” in 2013. The days of municipalities using loop holes to take advantage of the taxpayers are coming to an end.
If Christie returns all the fees they collect on our cable and energy bills perhaps the towns won't have to raise fees ….to say nothing of getting back the income tax money that towns send to Trenton that never get returned to their rightful owner !