Senate GOP Calls for Bipartisan Solution to Affordability Crisis

March 14, 2024

Today, the Senate Republican Caucus issued the following statement calling on Governor Murphy and Trenton Democrats to embrace Republicans’ long-ignored constructive ideas that would help address the affordability crisis in New Jersey:

“Senate Republicans have long fought to pass commonsense reforms that would increase the State’s housing stock without trampling on the autonomy of the State’s many diverse municipalities. The reason that Republicans have not been able to solve this crisis is not due to a lack of ideas or advocacy on our part, but rather that Trenton Democrats, who control the legislative agenda by virtue of being the Majority Party, have refused to take any action on our reforms or even entertain our ideas.

“We all want to make sure that New Jersey has enough housing for those in need, but we cannot jump right to gutting open spaces and farmland. Constructing these units must happen in a commonsense way. Unfortunately, Republican legislators and local leaders have not been given a seat at the table when it comes to this important issue. Democrats are attempting to force through a bill that not only leaves the affordability problem unsolved, but will most likely make the situation even worse.

“Everyone knows that New Jersey is often ranked as having the highest property tax rates in the country. Housing development mandates passed down by the courts tend to exacerbate the problem by encouraging irresponsible and unsustainable growth in towns that lack the infrastructure to accommodate large population increases over short periods of time. As municipalities continue to recover from the economic impact of COVID-19, implementation of the fourth round of court-mandated development rules should be delayed to give municipalities a chance to respond to new mandates in a responsible, sustainable manner.

“In its present form, S-50 will have a direct negative impact on the quality of life in our communities that will only get worse over time. We must work alongside our municipalities with sound land use planning to ensure each community has the infrastructure, mass transit access, job market, and open space to support growth without overwhelming local services and further driving up already sky-high property taxes.

“We need a far better approach to affordable housing. New Jersey residents deserve a plan that avoids changing the character of our communities with massive overdevelopment and exorbitant costs, while at the same time provides safe and affordable housing for all. That is why we will be voting no on this legislation.”