NJ congressional delegates concerned about GOP tax plan

<p>New Jersey is one of the few states where even some Republican members of Congress are opposing or expressing concerns about the GOP tax reform plan.</p>

News 12 Staff

Nov 15, 2017, 12:25 AM

Updated 2,361 days ago

Share:

New Jersey is one of the few states where even some Republican members of Congress are opposing or expressing concerns about the GOP tax reform plan.
Many say that the concern lies with New Jersey’s high property taxes and housing costs.
Many New Jersey residents say that homeownership is worth it because of the economics surrounding it. Owning a home will allow a person to build equity. They can also deduct the amount they pay in mortgage interest and property taxes from their federal income taxes.
But to varying degrees, the House and Senate tax bills would limit or end those deductions.
Gary Large of the North Central Jersey Association of Realtors explains about how much it will actually cost to buy a home for first-time buyers. If a New Jersey resident buys a house at $400,000, with the current deductions, “you’re going to save $454 a month,” according to Large.
“That was the critical component to getting those first-time buyers to be comfortable making that jump,” Large says.
Supporters of the bill say that the loss of the deductions will be offset by Americans paying less overall in federal income tax.
But Large says that it could lead to a downward spiral in the real estate market as more people do the math and decide to just rent.
“Let it be the landlord’s problem,” Large says.
New Jersey's congressional delegation remains largely opposed to the tax reform measures. Only Republican Tom MacArthur has supported the bill, but MacArthur says that he will only vote “yes” if the bill keeps property tax deductions intact.


More from News 12
Officials: 1 person killed, 1 injured in house explosion in South River

Officials: 1 person killed, 1 injured in house explosion in South River

1:20
Pro-Palestinian protest that postponed final exams at Rutgers ends peacefully

Pro-Palestinian protest that postponed final exams at Rutgers ends peacefully

2:19
Mostly sunny Friday ahead with cooler temperatures; tracking weekend rain

Mostly sunny Friday ahead with cooler temperatures; tracking weekend rain

2:17
Bound Brook starts Lithium Ion Identification Program to help firefighters identify risks

Bound Brook starts Lithium Ion Identification Program to help firefighters identify risks

0:57
Funeral services held in Newark for Rep. Donald Payne, Jr.

Funeral services held in Newark for Rep. Donald Payne, Jr.

0:22
Prosecutor: 61-year-old man dies in Jersey City high-rise fire

Prosecutor: 61-year-old man dies in Jersey City high-rise fire

0:36
Jersey Proud: Police officers gather for town cleanup in memory of fallen officer

Jersey Proud: Police officers gather for town cleanup in memory of fallen officer

1:26
Look up! Annual Eta Aquarid meteor shower peaks early Sunday morning

Look up! Annual Eta Aquarid meteor shower peaks early Sunday morning

NJ Transit teams with BetMGM to provide rail serves to MetLife Stadium concerns

NJ Transit teams with BetMGM to provide rail serves to MetLife Stadium concerns

0:46
Car crashes into Hasbrouck Heights apartment building; residents evacuate

Car crashes into Hasbrouck Heights apartment building; residents evacuate

Biden says 'order must prevail' during campus protests over Gaza

Biden says 'order must prevail' during campus protests over Gaza

2:13
Police: Explosion, fire at Old Bridge business kills 73-year-old woman, severely injures 4 others

Police: Explosion, fire at Old Bridge business kills 73-year-old woman, severely injures 4 others

0:47
Learn to make candles at Urban Glo in Union

Learn to make candles at Urban Glo in Union

3:52
I-95 in Norwalk closed until at least Monday following tractor-trailer fire

I-95 in Norwalk closed until at least Monday following tractor-trailer fire

0:35
Prosecutors: NJ couple pleads guilty to starting illegal marijuana service and employing their son

Prosecutors: NJ couple pleads guilty to starting illegal marijuana service and employing their son

0:24
Should former inmates be allowed to serve on juries in New Jersey? Gov. Murphy says yes

Should former inmates be allowed to serve on juries in New Jersey? Gov. Murphy says yes

0:29
Unruly passenger ordered to pay over $20,000 for interfering with flight from London to Newark

Unruly passenger ordered to pay over $20,000 for interfering with flight from London to Newark

0:20
Authorities: 2 women, 1 man stabbed in altercation at Newark McDonald's

Authorities: 2 women, 1 man stabbed in altercation at Newark McDonald's

0:19
FBI offering $5,000 reward for info on Paterson bank robbery suspect

FBI offering $5,000 reward for info on Paterson bank robbery suspect

0:24
Cape May County lifeguards file lawsuit against Avalon to get pension

Cape May County lifeguards file lawsuit against Avalon to get pension