Senator Joe Pennacchio has rejected the suggestion that New Jersey could withhold federal taxes or funding for federal programs as a form of protest against the current administration in Washington, D.C. The idea was raised by Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill during an appearance on comedian Jon Stewart’s podcast.
“States have no authority to withhold federal tax dollars and are legally obligated to uphold funding for federal programs, period,” said Sen. Pennacchio. “That being said, Governor-elect Sherrill, who ran on the Republican platform of affordability, can save consumers money on their high utility bills by eliminating the sales tax and Societal Benefits Charge. Rather than focusing on running partisan interference against the federal government, Democrats should turn their attention to deliver real, immediate relief for New Jersey families.”
Senator Pennacchio is working with Senator Latham Tiver as co-prime sponsor of legislation aimed at suspending both the sales and use tax and the Societal Benefits Charge applied to electric bills. Their proposal is estimated to save average households hundreds of dollars on energy costs.
The full text of bill S-4765 is available online.
