HARDYSTON — Assemblyman Guy Gregg, R-Sussex, is in the minority in Trenton, but it is not a usual occurrence for him in this Republican-heavy county.

At a Monday candidates night, Gregg found himself in that position as he addressed 100 members of the Crystal Springs Tax Action Committee, the majority of whom favor reducing property taxes by primarily funding education with income taxes instead of property taxes.

Gregg said he is not opposed to the idea, but wants to address state spending at the same time. “I think property taxes is the wrong way to fund education,” Gregg said. However, “We will never do it just by looking at revenue,” he continued.

The other two candidates at the event, state Senate candidate Jim Morrison and Assembly candidate Thomas Boyle, both Democrats, strongly support reforming education funding. Gregg’s running mates in the Nov. 4 election — state Sen. Robert Littell and Assemblyman Alison Littell McHose, both R-Sussex — are not public supporters of the idea.

Neither attended the event.

Littell was expected, but never showed at the two-hour event. McHose attended a fund-raiser for her campaign instead of the event.

Morrison and Boyle won favors with the majority of the crowd for their support to a proposal known as the Save Money and Reform Taxes — or SMART — Bill. It proposes to shift 90 percent of educational funding from property taxes to income taxes. It is not an official piece of legislation, but is currently being crafted into one by the state Office of Legislative Services.

Boyle said he was amazed at how simply the proposal solves the property tax problem.

“When I saw it, I said, ‘It’s too good to be true. ... It’s too simple,” he said. “We need to not be afraid to talk about taxes. Politicians these days are too afraid to talk about taxes.”

Morrison said he favors the proposal because it shifts education funding from a regressive to a progressive tax. “The system should be based on your ability to pay, not the property you own,” Morrison said. “It’s insane and it’s got to change.”

Gregg held his own fairly well, answering numerous questions from the reform proponents asking for his property tax reduction plan. Gregg said his plan involves placing reasonable caps on state and local spending while making education a top priority in the state budget. In addition, any tax increases will have to be passed by a super majority of state legislators.

A few group members interviewed after the event said Gregg’s proposals have promise, but they are seeking immediate property tax relief. “They all address cost containment, which is a good thing, but none of his address property tax reform, which means finding another way to fund education,” said Bob Weeks, a Crystal Springs resident.

Gregg has proposed his plan in the form of four constitutional amendments which have bipartisan support, he said. “The key is to get bills or resolutions that are going to get to committee,” he said. “When people say tax reform, people hear tax increase. That doesn’t play well in the real world.”

Morrison was not scared off. “It is an increase ... I’m not afraid to say that,” he said. “An increase in taxes on people who aren’t bearing their fair share.”

The Smart Bill would raise taxes on people making more than $200,000 annually. Such people constitute 5.2 percent of the state. Boyle, too, said he would not be shy to fight for the proposal. “If I have to go down on the floor and yell and scream at the top of my lungs, that’s what I’ll do,” he said. Debate among Boyle, Morrison and Gregg was thoughtful and passionate, light on anger and accusations. The event even had a few surprising and somewhat humorous moments as the usually liberal Morrison concurred with the usually conservative Gregg.

“It sounds like when Tom Boyle and Guy Gregg go to the Assembly and I go to the Senate, we’ll get things done,” Morrison said.
“Is that an endorsement?” Gregg asked, amused.
“Perhaps,” Morrison said.
Democratic freeholder candidates Howard Burrell and Edwin Selby attended the event and lobbied for some votes in the crowd. Neither of their opponents — freeholders Glen Vetrano and Susan Zellman — attended, though Freeholder JoAnn D’Angeli did, but she is not up for re-election.