New Jersey Government

5 Pages 1326 Words

1. How does the New Jersey Supreme Court interact with the Legislature, Governor, and municipal governments? Give examples of Court decisions which have had an impact on local property taxes.
The New Jersey Supreme Court is an integral part of the law making progress that helps govern our state. Within the system of checks and balances it is the duty of the Court to uphold the constitution and to make sure that state laws are processed and implemented in a constitutional manner. Within its jurisdiction the Courts oversee the laws passed by the legislature and at times may make constitutional amendments. The Supreme Court is also authorized to solve disputes between the Governor and the legislature. One such dispute concerned the governor’s right to make a line item veto. In this case as in most the Courts sided with the governor. This example shows us how the courts have the right to oversee and overrule legislative decisions. Often times the legislature may have alternative agenda’s and some times those agenda interfere with the states constitution.
The Supreme Court has the jurisdiction to oversee all matters in the courts below it including municipal courts. Property taxes have always been an important issue in New Jersey and in 1973 the Courts viewed the case of Robinson v. Cahill. This was a case that stretched over seven court appearances and three years. The courts took a stand and said that there would be no public funds spent on education until there was some type of constitutional funding scheme set up. The case was finally resolved when the legislature passed an income tax package with an acceptable funding plan. The New Jersey Supreme Court has been a very integral part in upholding state mandates on tax reform, especially when concerning school funding. In the future our county taxes will heavily depend on how the courts decide to delegate spending. These issues among others will be the prime subjects...