Property Tax Cap and Best Beach Competition

The Asbury Park Press online article Study gives thumbs up to Christie cap proposal, provides evidentiary support for Governor Christie's proposal to place a referendum on the November ballot enabling voters to express their views on the 2.5 percent cap on property tax increases. The article states:

The report concludes the cap could "help New Jersey spend less, improve competitiveness and maintain high quality public services." It said Proposition 2.5 has effectively controlled property-tax growth without sacrificing educational quality. Property-tax growth from 1980 to 2007 was just 22 percent in Massachusetts, compared to 68 percent nationwide and 102 percent in New Jersey.

During that same period, overall growth in state and local taxes was 108 percent in New Jersey, 70 percent nationally and 58 percent in Massachusetts. New Jersey went from having the 10th-highest state and local tax burden to having the highest burden. In the same period, Massachusetts fell from second to 23rd.

The second part of the article ranked the top ten beaches and Wildwoods won this year's Best Beach competition. Three Ocean County beaches and one in Monmouth County— Asbury Park — finished in the Top 10. Runner ups are listed.