State
of New Jersey Governor
Christine Todd Whitman
WHEREAS, I appointed the members of the Property Tax Commission in December 1997 and charged them with recommending ways to help county school and municipal officials ease the heavy burden of property taxes on New Jersey residents; and WHEREAS, the Commission has held 10 meetings, numerous subcommittee meetings and four public hearings to gather data and opinions from private citizens, policy experts, local officials and State legislators; and WHEREAS, the Commission sought to address both the cost of New Jersey's method of providing local government services as well as the State's historically heavy reliance on the property tax to fund these government services; and WHEREAS, the Commission has concluded that while New Jersey citizens ought to continue holding local control in deciding which services they will receive, it is equally important for New Jersey to reduce property taxes by finding more efficient ways to provide these services; and WHEREAS, the Commission recommends, therefore, that New Jersey implement a host of legislative and regulatory changes to encourage sharing of services; and WHEREAS, the Commission has made specific recommendations urging State government agencies to take an active role in encouraging and facilitating shared and regional services; and WHEREAS, I agree that State agencies can and should encourage and facilitate shared and regional services wherever appropriate; NOW, THEREFORE, I, CHRISTINE TODD WHITMAN, Governor of the State of New Jersey, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the statutes of this State, do hereby ORDER and DIRECT:
Attest: /s/ John J. Farmer, Jr. |