Mystifying Murphy claims property tax relief is “prevalent” in his budget

By Matt Rooney
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Trenton Democrats (who control every branch of New Jersey government) haven’t been able to reach easy agreement on much this budget season, and the threat of a government shutdown hasn’t been ruled out, but they did previously agree on one thing…

Property tax relief isn’t a priority in the governor’s proposed budget.

Which is why Phil Murphy’s comments on Wednesday at a Democrat town hall — relayed to the rest of us by Politico-New Jersey’s Ryan Hutchins — is positively mystifying:

I don’t know what to tell you, folks. I’ve got nothing.

Reported compromise provisions are all predicated on… massive tax hikes. There is talk of restoring the Homestead Rebate to where it was two years ago but, even if it happens, any increase would be easily cancelled out by the across-the-board tax levies on old (like income and corporate income) and new items (rideshare services), too.

Is he confused? Or is Murphy revealing himself to be a master of Orwellian doublespeak?

If someone has an inkling? Let me know. I’m all ears.

Matt Rooney
About Matt Rooney 8404 Articles
MATT ROONEY is SaveJersey.com's founder and editor-in-chief, a practicing New Jersey attorney, and the host of 'The Matt Rooney Show' on 1210 WPHT every Sunday evening from 7-10PM EST.