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ASBURY PARK PRESS :: MONMOUTH EDITION

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10.25.15

SPECIAL REPORT

PROPERTY TAX CRISIS

10,000 petition tax reform. But most lawmakers say ...

NO! TO CHANGE
BOB JORDAN @BOBJORDANAPP AND MICHAEL SYMONS @MICHAELSYMONS_

More than 10,000 people and counting have signed the Asbury Park Press petition fighting back

against New Jerseys highest-in-the-nation property taxes. But there are scant signs from Gov.
Chris Christie and other political leaders that reforms are on the way. h The petition asks Christie,
Senate President Stephen Sweeney and Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto for a property tax cut.
Property taxes statewide rise $540 million every year, even with a 2 percent cap in place, and polls
show its been the top issue in the Garden State for nine years.h Christie could call a special session
on property taxes, but he hasnt, and lawmakers arent rushing to the Statehouse on their own to
act. The Senate and Assembly have two work days apiece scheduled for November.
See TAX, Page 4A

State senators and Assembly

members are shown. Green
means they signed the property tax cut pledge, red
means they did not. See
PAGE 4A for the full list.

USA TODAY

HURRICANES REMNANTS ARE NEWEST THREAT TO TEXAS PAGE 1B

Basie to announce $20M expansion

ALEX BIESE
@ABIESEAPP

Something big is brewing at the Count Basie

Theatre.
The historic Red Bank venue, which first opened its
doors back in 1926, will announce a major expansion
program on Monday morning, theater officials revealed exclusively to the Asbury Park Press.
Estimated to cost $20 million over a period of three
years, the move would transform the Basies area of
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Monmouth Street into an arts, entertainment and education campus spanning a full city block.
Youll be looking at a modern presentation of how
people can experience performing arts in a world- class
environment in this part of the country, vice president
of operations Izzy Sackowitz said. Well have classrooms teaching dance and singing and instruments and
jazz and vocals, and well have the classic Basie stage
with our regular performances. And then, well have a
See THEATER, Page 11A

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