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Article: New Jersey Debates Property Tax Reform
- Article from:
- AP Online
- Article date:
- August 14, 2006
CopyrightCopyright 2006 Associated Press/AP Online. This material is published under license from the publisher through YellowBrix, Alexandria, Virginia. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to YellowBrix. (Hide copyright information)
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BOGOTA, N.J. - The borough of Bogota in northeast New Jersey is less than a square mile, yet it has its own high school, public works, health and building departments, and a police force of 15.
New Jersey, with more municipalities per square mile than any other state, also has the nation's highest property taxes.
Is there a connection? The governor thinks so, and is offering financial incentives to municipalities that consolidate or share government services.
But in places like Bogota, the idea hasn't been well received.
In the town of 8,200 about 15 miles from New York City, Mayor Steve Lonegan says he's compiled data showing that "small towns are cheaper to operate than big ...