PCDO hosts property tax panel June 13

The Princeton Community Democratic Organization will host a panel discussion titled “New Jersey Property Taxes: How We Got Here. Is There a Better Way?” at its monthly membership meeting on Sunday, June 13 at 7 p.m. on Zoom. The panel is free and open to the public; login information will be shared on the PCDO website at princetondems.org on the evening of the program.

The panel, moderated by PCDO Program Chair Tim Quinn, will feature Marc Pfeiffer, senior policy fellow and assistant director of the Bloustein Local Government Research Center at Rutgers University; Kamolika Das, state policy analyst for the Washington, DC-based Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy; and Brandon McKoy, president of New Jersey Policy Perspective.

Topics to be covered include: the history of the state’s reliance on property taxes and why all efforts to change the system have failed; who is harmed by this reliance and how they can be helped; and how alternatives to property taxes can be implemented.

“We are pleased and honored to be hosting such a distinguished panel of experts,” PCDO President Afsheen Shamsi said. “Given that property taxes fund both government and education in New Jersey, and our property taxes are the highest in the nation, this promises to be a fascinating discussion of a crucial issue. We invite the public to join us.”

Recognized as a leading authority on property taxes in New Jersey Mr. Pfeiffer spent 37 years working in New Jersey local government administration, including 26 years in the state’s local government oversight agency, the Division of Local Government Services. He served as the division’s deputy director for 14 years and periodically as acting director. Mr. Pfeiffer has broad experience in many areas of local government policy and administration, including finance and property taxation, public procurement, shared services and consolidation, technology, energy, labor relations and general government administration. He also has deep experience in the legislative process and as a regulatory officer. He has a master’s degree in public administration from New York University and a bachelor’s degree from American University.

Ms. Das joined ITEP in 2020 as a state policy analyst, monitoring state tax policy and supporting state researchers and advocates. Before joining ITEP, Ms. Das promoted progressive affordable housing and workforce development policies at the DC Fiscal Policy Institute by conducting research, working with legislators and advocating in coalitions. She previously worked as a state and local policy manager for Prosperity Now, where she advocated for policies that promote financial stability, wealth and prosperity for low- and middle-income communities. She has a master’s degree in public policy from the Ford School at the University of Michigan and bachelor’s degree from Vassar College. Ms. Das grew up in Monmouth County.

Mr. McKoy is the chief executive of New Jersey Policy Perspective and leads the organization’s efforts in shaping policy debates to advance economic justice. Prior to being named president of NJPP in 2019, Brandon served as the organization’s director of government and public affairs, designing and implemented the organization’s outreach, advocacy, and government relations activities. He also produces timely, credible and accessible research and analysis on issues including, but not limited to, economic security, the social safety net and economic opportunity. Mr. McKoy’s research interests include: state tax policy, the minimum wage, paid sick leave, the earned income tax credit, urban planning and criminal justice. He has a master’s degree in city and regional planning and policy development from Rutgers and a bachelor’s degree from The College of New Jersey.

Founded in 1965, the Princeton Community Democratic Organization advances the interests of the Democratic Party in Princeton and provides forums for discussion of local, state and national issues. The club is open all Democrats in Princeton. Democrats in neighboring communities may join as affiliate members. For details on membership and to join, visit princetondems.org