As voters consider their choices in the June 10 primary election, the 11 contenders for two major party nominations are sharing ideas about how they would govern.
Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop and South Orange Mayor Sheena Collum, today announced a detailed Affordability Plan aimed at lowering the cost of living and shifting power back to New Jersey taxpayers.
The two mayors are candidates for governor and lieutenant governor in the June 10 Democratic primary.
The proposal includes reforms to property taxes, municipal debt, housing policy, and government transparency.
Fulop emphasized his executive experience as a mayor, arguing that Trenton has lacked leadership with municipal expertise for over two decades—a factor he believes has contributed to rising costs.
“Every other campaign gives you the same talking points that residents have heard for decades, with limited results,” Fulop said. “This plan is about taking concrete steps that drive down costs.”
Key Proposals in the Affordability Plan
- Restrictions on Municipal Debt
The plan seeks to make it harder for towns to access capital markets for borrowing, a move intended to incentivize municipal consolidation. Fulop acknowledged opposition from groups like the League of Municipalities but argued that voters would support the measure. - Overhaul of StayNJ into a “Circuit Breaker”
The proposal would replace New Jersey’s current property tax relief programs with an income-based cap, limiting property taxes to no more than 4% of a resident’s income. - Point-of-Sale Tax Revaluations
To protect long-term homeowners, particularly seniors, from sudden tax hikes due to reassessments, Fulop’s plan would shift to a point-of-sale valuation system, a model used in other states. - “YIMBY” Housing Strategy
The plan promotes increased housing supply through streamlined approvals, restructuring long-term tax abatements, and implementing by-right development with pre-negotiated affordability requirements. - Tax Bracket Recalibration
The proposal calls for adjusting sales, income, and business tax brackets to reflect current economic conditions. - Anti-Corruption Measures
The plan targets what Fulop calls New Jersey’s “Corruption Tax” by banning lobbyists from holding party leadership roles, implementing ranked-choice voting, creating open primaries, and reversing aspects of the Election Transparency Act.
Collum, a vocal advocate for municipal reform, endorsed the plan, stating, “Mayors understand the challenges facing New Jersey better than anyone… Local governments are dealing with outdated systems that hurt taxpayers.”
The announcement follows Fulop’s previous policy releases on transportation, education, and government reform.
He acknowledged potential pushback from entrenched interests but framed the plan as necessary for structural change.
“You will never get structural change in NJ by asking nicely,” Fulop said.
The proposal sets the stage for a policy-focused Democratic primary, with affordability expected to remain a central issue in the 2025 gubernatorial race.
Fulop is competing with Blug Dog Congresswoman Mike Sherrill, Donald Trump’s favorite Democrat in Congress Josh Gottheimer, George Norcross’ minion Steve Sweeney, scandl-plagued former Montclair Mayor Sean Spiller, and Newark Mayor Ras Baraka.
Sherrill, Gottheimer, and Sweeney support policies that are advantageous for the rich while Fulop and Baraka are traditional Democrats who favor using government to enhance the lives of working middle-class families.
On the Republican side, former GOP nominee Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli and Never Trump state Senator Jon Bramnick are slugging it out amid three lesser known candidates whose extremism makes them virtually unelectable in the Garden State.