TRENTON, NJ (May 25, 2023) – AARP New Jersey Director of Advocacy, Ev Liebman, provided the following statement:

“AARP’s mission is to empower people to choose how they live as they age, and an important part of choosing how we live is being able to choose and afford where we live.

“New Jersey homeowners and renters are feeling the strain of paying the highest property taxes in the nation – taxes that are interfering with our residents’ ability to age in their own homes. An overwhelming majority of older adults say they want to remain in their homes and communities. Yet, according to a 2022 poll commissioned by AARP, 42% of New Jersey’s older homeowners and 36% of renters have considered fleeing the state, with most giving property taxes as their top reason for leaving.

“New Jerseyans are also struggling to afford rising prices on everything from groceries to gas along with the highest drug prices in the world. No one should have to choose between paying for food and paying for the medications and the health care they need. AARP New Jersey commends Speaker Coughlin’s leadership and efforts to expand New Jersey’s pharmaceutical assistance and Medicare savings programs so more older residents have access to affordable health care.

“We applaud Speaker Coughlin’s long-time commitment and leadership in addressing New Jersey’s affordability crisis, including addressing our highest in the nation property taxes. We look forward to being part of the StayNJ conversation, working with the Speaker and Senate President Scutari, their colleagues in the Legislature, and the Governor on improving the financial and health security for older residents and making New Jersey a great place to grow up and grow older.”

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About AARP
AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to the more than 100 million Americans 50-plus and their families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also produces the nation’s largest circulation publications: AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org/about-aarp/, www.aarp.org/español or follow @AARP, @AARPenEspañol and @AARPadvocates on social media.