ZIP code Duplicity

Governor Corzine has a plan to revamp education funding. It appears to be just more smoke and mirrors. The sales pitch is “the current model leaves too many children out of luck simply because they live in the wrong ZIP code” Pithy, but meaningless as far as the overburdened property taxpayer is concerned.

Two of the many problems with the plan are the continued reliance upon using a community’s aggregate wealth to determine aid and thinking $400 million to $500 million in increased aid will begin to make a dent in sky-high property taxes. And that is what is driving this so-called reform.

The idea that low income students living in a wealthy district merit less aid than those in a poor district reveals the inherent contradiction of a needs-based plan governed by a community’s average income. Why should a needy student be penalized because he lives in the wrong ZIP code? Wait, isn’t that what is driving the governor’s thinking? How can he say he is helping those who live in the wrong ZIP code when he is penalizing an otherwise identical child because he lives in the wrong ZIP code? Confused? Our leaders depend upon us not thinking too deeply about these things.

The governor promises more education aid. But he has also guaranteed Abbott districts will not see reductions in aid and might even see an increase. Using $450 million and dividing by 600 districts, you get $750,000 each. That would be 0.6% of the Middletown Twp. education budget and 0.4% of the entire property tax bill. Anymore need to be said? You can contact me after I return from my round the world cruise courtesy of these huge property tax savings.

The real problem with high property taxes is they have nothing to do with ability to pay. Education must be supported entirely by the state with a dedicated income tax. Then funding based on individual student needs would be based solely upon those criteria and it would not matter which ZIP code one lives in.

And do not forget that even if the education portion of property taxes were eliminated we would still be at the same level of local property taxation as existed about ten years ago. Were you satisfied with what you paid then? Have your wages increased so much that this amount will now be a minor nuisance? Hah! I thought not. Don't be duped. We must eliminate the property tax for all things, not just education. Stop subsidizing your wealthy neighbors tax obligation.