A special state commission—similar to the federal panel that determines military base closings—would recommend a list of municipalities and other governmental units that should consolidate to reduce property taxes, according to a new proposal that has bi-partisan support.

The measure, Senate Joint Resolution 47, would create a nine-member commission appointed by the governor, the state Legislature and the chief justice of the state Supreme Court. The panel would create standards to determine which municipalities should be consolidated to save taxpayer’s money. Within two years of its creation, the commission would provide a list of mergers to the governor and Legislature, which would either approve or reject the list in its entirety.

School Impact If the governor and Legislature approve the municipal consolidations, the commissioner of education would meet “with the superintendents and other educational leaders of the school districts servicing the pairs or groups of affected municipalities to determine if the consolidation of those school districts is necessary or desirable.”

Municipal mergers, however, could make consolidation of school districts necessary under existing law. Statute prevents two or more school districts from providing regular education services at the same grade levels within a single municipality.

Agenda Item SJR 47 is sponsored by Sen. Joseph Kyrillos (R-Monmouth) and Sen. Stephen Sweeney (D-Gloucester). Kyrillos is a member of the Joint Legislative Committee on Government Consolidation and Shared Services, one of four “special session” panels charged with recommending legislation to reduce property taxes by Nov. 15.

The joint committee on consolidation was expected to address SJR 47 and its assembly counterpart, AJR 69 (O’Toole, Beck), at its October 4 meeting.

Looking Ahead Upcoming joint committee meetings include –

Public School Funding Reform, 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 10, Ballroom and Theater at Collingswood. Members of the public are invited to testify before the committee regarding public school funding.

Government Consolidation and Shared Services, 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 11, Committee Room 11, 4th Floor, Statehouse Annex, Trenton.

Constitutional Reform and Citizens Property Tax Constitutional Convention, 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 5. Committee Room 11, 4th Floor, Statehouse Annex, Trenton. The committee is scheduled to hear testimony from invited speakers regarding property tax and spending  caps as mechanisms for relief.