By Matt Rooney
Mikie Sherrill’s first budget address will be delivered on Tuesday; while we don’t know what’s in it, Save Jerseyans, we do know that the new governor is reporting a $3 billion structural deficit.
One option? Cooperate with ICE and eject illegal aliens who consume billions of tax dollars on an annual basis.
Another? Assemblyman Brian Bergen (R-25) is proposing the elimination of legislator salaries, property tax rebates and, ultimately, an end to tolls on New Jersey’s iconic highways as an added bonus to a plugged deficit.
“I am proposing performance-based compensation reform that finally reflects the results this Democrat-led Legislature has delivered – zero,” Bergen said. “Despite warnings about a fiscal cliff and spending far outpacing revenues, Trenton Democrats voted to give themselves a 67% pay raise to $82,000 [in 2024]. My bill repeals that selfish decision and makes clear that public service, not profit, should motivate elected officials.”
Bergen wants to eliminate legislative salaries effective 2028, saving taxpayers $9.8 million in addition to all state property tax rebate programs.
“Instead of creating government programs to redistribute taxpayer money like ANCHOR and StayNJ, we should reduce the tax burden in the first place,” added Bergen. “These programs take billions from taxpayers, send a small portion back to select recipients, and allow politicians to take credit for the relief. My two bills, combined with eliminating pork spending in the budget, would save at least $5 billion. That closes the deficit and still leaves about $2 billion for real tax relief.”
He projects the savings would be sufficient to prohibit tolls on the New Jersey Turnpike, Garden State Parkway, and Atlantic City Expressway
“Trenton politicians love rebate programs because they tax you first, keep most of the money, and then send a small portion back with their name on the check,” Bergen continued. “That’s not tax relief, it’s political marketing.”
