JACKSON – Proposed state legislation and recent Supreme Court rulings were among the subjects discussed during the council comment period during a recent Township Council meeting.
Councilman Nino Borrelli spoke about a resolution on the agenda that supported Senate Bill 2243 also known as the “‘give it back bill’ which would return billions of dollars that the state has in surplus back to taxpayers in the form of $1,000 to married couples who file jointly or as head of household or surviving spouse.”
He noted it would provide $500 to single tax filers and married couples who file separately. “This is a really good start but real sustainable tax relief, especially property tax relief for Jackson and “other state taxpayers won’t occur until we have a governor and state legislature who provides fair public school funding formula.”
Borrelli said the state funding formula shouldn’t prioritize school districts of urban areas of the state over suburban and rural areas “like Jackson and who don’t cede authority to unelected judges in unelected states, the Supreme Court. The huge surplus that state has should also be used to pay down the almost $250 billion dollars in state debt and growing.
“We pay down our debt in Jackson on the local level and families do that with their household budgets. The State should not be the exception,” Borrelli said, urging residents to contact the governor’s office at 609-292-6000 and demand the tax relief bill be passed and signed into law.
“I hope other municipalities also adopt this resolution and support the bill and send a message to Trenton,” the councilman added.
Councilman Steven Chisholm commended the United States’ and New York’s supreme courts. “The New York Supreme Court of all places came out and told New York City that they absolutely, positively can not be a sanctuary city and allow people, illegal immigrants to vote.
“There is no statutory ability for the city of New York to issue inconsistent laws permitting non-citizens to vote and exceed the authority granted to it by the New York State constitution. Though voting is a right that so many citizens take for granted, the city of New York cannot obviate the restrictions in place by the Constitution. Amen! Thank you for doing your job, New York Supreme Court,” the councilman added.
“While we’re at it we might as well commend the U.S. Supreme Court they had three very active cases…one of which was seven years in the making,” Chisholm said. “A poor football coach was not allowed to pray with his students after a game.
“We’re not talking about major prayers we’re just saying guys thank you very much we appreciate your doing a good job. After seven years the U.S. Supreme Court said yes, its true prayers after a school football game, though visible to students is in no way represented as a government permitted establishment or endorsement of religion contrary to the erroneous rulings of the U.S. Court of Appeals in the 9th Circuit, surprise,” Councilman Chisholm said.
He also noted “Roe vs. Wade being overturned so you can take that for what it is worth.” Chisholm also reminded residents that this Independence Day marked the 246th anniversary of the nation.
