It's Property Taxes, Stupid!

During a recent visit to HUMAN EVENTS, Schundler dismissed polling numbers and his being outgunned on the fund-raising flank. As he put it: "Message trumps money and issues move people. We are collecting signatures on petitions in support of constitutionally limiting the pace at which government spending grows, so we can force the state to return a fair share of tax revenues to school districts and municipalities. In so doing, we'll be able to lower property taxes year after year until they are phased out altogether. When they sign on for my property tax revolution, voters also sign a notice to politicians pledge-to vote against any candidate for any office who won't commit to lowering taxes. If we could pass the Permanent Property Tax Reduction Amendment this year-while the legislature is in session-so they can make it onto the ballot this fall-we'd all be much better off."

Regarding opponent Forrester, the Schundler camp noted that his record on taxes and spending is not clean. "On Nov. 26, 1979," observed Pascoe, "in his second meeting as a township committeeman in West Windsor, Douglas Forrester voted to double his own salary." In addition, Pascoe pointed out that when Forrester was mayor of his township, "He raised the property tax levy by 204% in four years. That's what Doug Forrester did in the one and only time he was ever elected to public office. We still can't locate a mayor anywhere in New Jersey, current or past, who raised property taxes as fast as Doug Forrester."

Schundler also volunteered during his visit here that he has been spending a lot of his Sundays attending and speaking at predominantly black churches. Anticipating my next question-whether any of those he meets will vote in the Republican primary-Schundler replied: "No, most will still vote in the Democratic primary. But I'm laying the groundwork for the fall. African-Americans I have met are increasingly concerned about school choice because of the condition in public schools and they are interested in property tax reform. This is an issue that will cut across a lot of old lines, I assure you." Recalling how he almost always mentions his opposition to abortion in these Sunday addresses, the Jersey City man insisted there is a strong pro-life sentiment among younger black voters.

A recent National Research poll showed Corzine (lifetime American Conservative Union rating: 5%) defeating Forrester by 41% to 36% and Schundler by 42% to 31%. Again, Schundler exuded self-confidence in the face of these numbers. "I read Sen. Corzine's announcement of his candidacy carefully," he told me. "It contains 1,899 words and property taxes are not among them. We're going to continue pushing for our Permanent Property Tax Reduction Amendment and he will have to take a stand. And, under the circumstances here in New Jersey, voters won't take no for an answer."

(Bret 2005-Schundler for Governor, 187 Mill Lane, Mountainside, N.J. 07092 (908-379-2738)

Copyright Human Events Publishing, Inc. May 30, 2005
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