Steinhardt hits Murphy on proposed millionaire’s tax deal

Republican State Chairman Doug Steinhardt on Friday hit Gov. Phil Murphy over the latter’s promising legislative leaders $250 million in property tax relief in exchange for a millionaire’s tax.

“Governor Murphy is cashing in on a roaring national economy by callously offering New Jersey’s tax weary residents a one-time tax abatement in exchange for a lifetime of tax increases,” Steinhardt said. “Only in Democrat controlled New Jersey would government offer to cut your taxes, but only by raising them to pay for it. These aren’t the types of honest answers New Jersey needs.”

At a town hall on Monday, Murphy announced that the state’s revenues exceeded their projections for the quarter.

He offered to use $250 million of those excess revenues for tax relief if Senate President Steve Sweeney and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin signed onto the millionaire’s tax Murphy is fighting for in this year’s budget.

It’s not clear that Murphy has the authority to disburse those funds, as the legislature controls appropriations.

“It’s Democrat dishonesty and it’s why we’re in the mess we’re in. We need real solutions. It’s time for our Governor to create a more friendly business environment, provide real property tax relief, fix pensions and healthcare, and cap state spending at 2%,” Steinhardt said. “No more games. No gimmicks. Just guts.”