I remain adamantly opposed to eliminating the state and local tax deduction, which 45 percent of taxpayers in New Jersey’s 4^th Congressional District rely on for vital tax relief—with an average deduction of over $17,000 for NJ filers who claim it—and to protect them from being taxed twice on the same income.

In New Jersey we already pay one of the highest shares of federal income taxes among states, yet we see the lowest return on our investment from the federal government. According to some estimates, my state receives only 74 cents back in federal spending for every dollar we send to Uncle Sam in federal taxes. The elimination of this deduction would further exacerbate this disparity and in essence represents double taxation for residents of New Jersey. 

We are long overdue for tax reform to lower taxes on individuals and small businesses and unleash economic growth and job creation, but tax reform must mean tax fairness for New Jersey and I will continue advocating against the elimination of this deduction.