“I wish there were more”

From the AP:

Towns predict tax hikes, service cuts after aid cut

New Jersey municipalities predicted property taxes would increase and local services would be cut after the state announced today it was doling out less special state aid to towns suffering fiscal woes.

The state Department of Community Affairs said it would provide $17.7 million this fiscal year in extraordinary aid to towns that contended they’ll have to cut essential services unless they substantially increase their property tax rates. The state provided about $26 million last year.

“Clearly, the $9 million cut will negatively impact municipal services, property tax rates or both in many municipalities,” said William Dressel, the New Jersey League of Municipalities executive director.

New Jersey already has the nation’s highest property taxes, at $6,330 per homeowner, or twice the national average. Property taxes to pay for most county, municipal and school operations in New Jersey.

Gov. Jon S. Corzine said he understands towns are struggling, but the state has limited resources.

“I wish there were more,” Corzine said. “There are huge demands with regard to the needs of some of our less economically well-off cities. There are special situations that show up on a regular basis, but again we’re resource constrained.”

Dressel called the cut in special aid and a recently announced increase in public worker pension obligations by local government a “double whammy.”

The state on July 20 told local governments they will owe more than $1 billion for public worker pensions this fiscal year, up from $650 million last year.