Moriarty backing Coughlin senior tax cut plan

A veteran Democratic assemblyman seeking a State Senate seat in a politically competitive district has endorsed Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin’s StayNJ plan to cut property taxes in half for most of the state’s senior citizens.

Paul Moriarty (D-Washington Township) announced today that he will become a sponsor of the proposal, which also has the backing of Senate President Nicholas Scutari, but not Gov. Phil Murphy.

“New Jersey is facing an affordability crisis, which affects all of us and in particular senior citizens living on fixed incomes,” Moriarty said.  “I’m proud to be a prime sponsor of legislation that would slash property taxes for most seniors by 50% and give them the economic security necessary to stay in their homes right here in New Jersey.”

Coughlin unveiled his bid last week to extend a tax credit to homeowners over age 65 that would be equal to half their property taxes, up to $10,000 annually.

Another South Jersey Democrat running for the Senate, former Assembly Appropriations Committee Chairman John Burzichelli (D-Paulsboro), is also on record supporting the Coughlin plan.

“I commend the hard work of Speaker Coughlin and Senate President Nick Scutari to swiftly bring this major policy initiative forward that will help senior citizens,” said Moriarty.  “I’m extremely appreciative of the leadership Senate President Scutari has shown to build support in the caucus for this important legislation and certainly look forward to a tremendous working relationship in the chamber come January after spending my entire legislative tenure in the General Assembly.”

A nine-term assemblyman and former Washington Township mayor, Moriarty is seeking the 4th district seat of Democrat Fred Madden (D-Washington Township).  Madden is retiring after 20 years in the Senate.

He will face the winner of a hotly-contested Republican primary between Gloucester County Commissioner Nick DeSilvio and former Washington Township Councilman Christopher Del Borrello.