Singer blamed vocal opposition from the New Jersey Association of Counties (NJAC) and complained about their lack of support on his latest effort to raise New Jersey taxes.
“I introduced this legislation to help counties account for the one-time implementation costs that were expected as a result of recently enacted bail reforms,” said Singer. “It seems that no good deed goes unpunished, however. Despite my effort to help our counties, the NJAC doesn’t want the legislative relief that I’ve offered, so I’ll withdraw the bill.”
The legislation that Singer will withdraw, S-2933, would have established a one-year property tax levy cap exclusion for costs incurred by local governments related to implementing bail reforms.
Singer said he will take no responsibility if the poorly implemented Bail Reform and Speedy Trial Act will result in layoffs and whined about another tax raising bill that did pass.
That legislation appropriated nearly $10 million to add 20 new judges around the state in support of the new law.
“The State is doing its part to assist counties to implement reforms to better protect the public and make our justice system more efficient,” added Singer. “If the NJAC is going to deny additional help that we’ve offered, the responsibility for any resulting layoffs or service reductions will fall squarely on their shoulders.”
So far, under New Jersey’s bail reform, the only people protected by the law have been criminals set free to commit repeat offenses and it has done little to increase public safety in the state.
