Assembly Minority Whip Brian Bergen (R-Denville) is introducing legislation to eliminate salaries for New Jersey state legislators, and to eliminate tolls on the New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway.
“I am proposing performance-based compensation reform that finally reflects the results this Democrat-led Legislature has delivered – zero,” said Bergen. “Despite warnings about a fiscal cliff and spending far outpacing revenues, Trenton Democrats voted to give themselves a 67% pay raise to $82,000. My bill repeals that selfish decision and makes clear that public service, not profit, should motivate elected officials.”
He is also proposing bills to cancel property tax rebate programs, like StayNJ and ANCHOR, something he says would help the state deal with a $3 billion structural deficit.
“Instead of creating government programs to redistribute taxpayer money like ANCHOR and StayNJ, we should reduce the tax burden in the first place,” stated Bergen, a four-term lawmaker from Morris County. “These programs take billions from taxpayers, send a small portion back to select recipients, and allow politicians to take credit for the relief.”
He said his proposals — combined with “eliminating pork” — would save taxpayers roughly $5 billion.
“That closes the deficit and still leaves about $2 billion for real tax relief,” he said.
His toll plan would also include the Atlantic City Expressway.
Legislators got a pay raise this year: from $49,000 to $82,000. This was the first increase in 20 years.
Bergen’s plan is to abolish a paid legislature altogether, effective after the 2027 elections. He would also remove stipends for the Senate President and Assembly Speaker.
The $150,000-a-year staff budget would remain intact
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