(01/02/07) TRENTON ? New Jersey legislators returned to work Tuesday after missing their self-imposed January 1 deadline for property tax reforms.

February 27 is now being targeted as the new deadline for the reforms. On that day, Governor Jon Corzine (D-NJ) must present his budget proposals for the next fiscal year. Proposals by various committees were never actually adopted prior to January 1, so lawmakers are essentially back at square one in terms of lowering property taxes.

Assembly committees are scheduled to meet Thursday, with general voting sessions to take place on January 8. New Jersey residents pay the highest property taxes in the United States.