Jon Corzine promised to give us property tax relief; instead Corzine will withhold property tax rebates from middle-class New Jersey homeowners. In the midst of the worst housing crisis in decades, Corzine’s plan will make it even more expensive to own a home, and lead to even more foreclosures across our state.

During his 2005 campaign for Governor, Jon Corzine pledged "property tax relief without raising other taxes."

Jon Corzine will use his business and management skills to deliver property tax relief that is real. Corzine has a plan to grow state revenues from a growing economy, and make specific spending cuts. This is the only responsible way to make more state funds available for direct property tax relief without raising other taxes.

-- CorzineforGovernor.com, as reported by the Daily Record

But Corzine failed to deliver in 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009. And now, New Jersey's property taxes are the highest in the country -- just as homeowners are facing the worst economic crisis in decades.

During good economic times in 2006, Corzine offered "just a fraction" of the relief he promised.

Corzine's budget breaks a centerpiece campaign promise by offering a fraction of the bump he had vowed for popular property-tax rebates. Rebates would grow $35 for middle-class families that received the maximum $350 last year and $120 for seniors who received the maximum $1,200.

-- The Philadelphia Inquirer, March 21, 2006

In 2007, Corzine himself admitted the relief "was not what he had promised" during his campaign.

Corzine acknowledged that the program was not what he had promised during his election campaign: direct credits against property-tax bills.

-- The Herald News, July 21, 2007

And in 2008, Corzine slashed property tax rebates:

A key test for the $32.8 billion state budget adopted by New Jersey lawmakers may come in August.

That's when homeowners throughout the state typically begin receiving their property tax bills, seldom a pleasant experience with New Jersey having the nation's highest property taxes, at $6,800 per homeowner.

Republicans are predicting an especially unpleasant experience this year. That's because the budget adopted June 23 cut state funding for property tax rebates and municipal aid used to keep property taxes in check.

-- Associated Press, June 30, 2008

Now, Corzine is proposing even deeper cuts to property tax rebates, hurting families further in a time of economic uncertainty.

The largest cut that could make a lasting mark would strike taxpayers, not government. Corzine has proposed axing $517 million in property-tax rebates for homeowners and renters.”

-- The Philadelphia Inquirer, March 22, 2009