Smith Sides With Christie's 2.5% Tax Cap

Cranford Mayor Mark Smith was among 39 New Jersey mayors to sign on with Governor Chris Christie's plan to create a constitutional amendment preventing municipalities from raising property taxes by more than 2.5 percent.

With some exceptions, the endorsements are from Republican mayors; both Smith and Christie are Republicans.

Last week, the governor outlined a 33-bill reform package to address state taxes and spending. The plan includes Cap 2.5, a constitutional amendment creating a 2.5 percent cap on property tax increases.

A press release from the Governor's office notes that New Jersey property taxes have grown an astonishing 70 percent over the last 10 years, with an average annual property tax bill of $7,281 on New Jersey families, the highest rate in the nation.

State Democrats have criticized the tax cap proposal, saying that towns coping with the loss of state aid will not be able to make up the funding through property tax increases.

Here is the full list of Union County mayors who have endorsed Christie's tax cap:

Mayor Robert Woodruff, Berkeley Heights
Mayor Mark Smith, Cranford
Mayor Joseph Menza, Hillside
Mayor Kathi Fiamingo, Kenilworth
Mayor Richard Gerbounka, Linden
Mayor John Thoms, New Providence
Mayor Ziad Andrew Shehady, Springfield