Republican gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli said New Jersey said he would declare “economic war” on New York if elected governor.
“We need to declare economic war on our neighbors,” Ciattarelli said in an interview. “Right now, they’re eating our lunch.”
Part of that economic war would be to “aggressively pursue” a tax agreement with New York so that residents who work in Manhattan pay income tax in New Jersey rather than the Empire State. He also proposed cutting New Jersey’s corporate tax rate by 1% a year for six years, and providing income-tax credits or relocation bonuses for residents who transfer their employment from New York to New Jersey.
“What I hope to do is create a thriving economy here in New Jersey, where people can find a good-paying job closer to home,” Ciattarelli said.
The Republican candidate added that he is stiffly opposed to New York’s plan to charge commuters a fee to drive into congested areas of Manhattan, calling it “a real finger in the eye to New Jerseyans.”
Several New Jersey lawmakers have been demanding that New York not implement their congestion pricing plan, which would disproportionately affect New Jersey residents.
Ciattarelli also said that his first state budget would be “downsized” and include a new school funding formula that apportioned money more evenly among suburbs and cities, a move that would overhaul the state’s funding formula which has led to New Jersey having some of the highest property taxes in the nation.
The latest poll on the race between Governor Phil Murphy and Ciattarelli, released in late September, found the incumbent governor with a 9-point lead over his Republican challenger – down from a 13-point lead in a separate poll from earlier that month.
Hi
I do like this fellow and plan to vote for him but I do have one question. If lakewood is indeed one of the most populous towns in NJ why hasn’t he been seen here to the best of my knowledge lately?
Mike,
He has come to Lakewood many times. I met him at a recent meet-and-greet in Lakewood.
@mike
Maybe because this isn’t one of the battleground sites in the state. Based on the polling he should win upwards of 80%. Him coming here won’t push him over the top
I once drove into a congested area of Manhattan. The people there were coughing and wheezing like crazy. So I asked a Manhattanite, “What’s up with all the congestion? Is everyone here chain smokers, or is it the pollution?” He tried to answer me, but got caught up in a brutal coughing attack that wouldn’t cease. So I just drove away.
Wow! Very good promises to the point: New Jersians are sick of being beat up by NY Tolls, Fees and rules; However he didn’t mention that former New Yorkers are being beat up by New Jersey Rules and Laws , Thousands of licensed people move to NJ from NY whom are licensed hairstylists, Dental hygieniests, plumbers, Electricians, pharmacists, photographers, home inspectors etc. etc. , licensed people even with decades of experience can’t transfer their licenses to NJ. NJ refuses to license all of them ; the only ones whom get relicensed in NJ are MD’s (Physicians) and Dentists. It’s not fair and it’s horrible.