In a letter to the editor, Republican 8th District congressional candidate Anthony Valdes gives his take on why Hudson County Commissioner Bill O’Dea’s idea for Jersey City payroll tax compliance could be problematic.
Dear Editor,
I am writing to express my concern regarding the recent proposal by 2025 Jersey City mayoral candidate Bill O’Dea.
Mr. O’Dea proposes to enforce payroll tax collection from construction companies and developers in Jersey City by denying permits and certificates of occupancy to those who have not fulfilled their payroll tax obligations.
While ensuring tax compliance is crucial, this approach could have unintended consequences that may significantly halt economic growth and discourage future investments in Jersey City.
Mr. O’Dea’s proposal, while aimed at improving tax collection for the benefit of our schools, seems to overlook the potential negative impact on the construction sector.
New construction is an important engine of economic development and job creation not only in Jersey City but across our great nation as well.
By adding more layers of bureaucracy, we risk driving away developers and contractors, which could lead to fewer construction projects, less employment, and ultimately less revenue for Jersey City and its schools.
Furthermore, the proposal to scrutinize certificates of occupancy issued in the last three years for projects exceeding $10 million suggests a retrospective approach that could create uncertainty and distrust among businesses.
Such measures could be perceived as hostile to the business community, which is already navigating the complexities of compliance with numerous regulations not to mention the already high costs of the construction permit itself.
Jersey City needs policies that encourage cooperation and compliance, not those that penalize and deter future projects. There are alternative solutions to improve tax collection without risking the city’s unique economic position.
These include enhancing transparency, investing in better tax collection infrastructure, and creating a collaborative environment where businesses can thrive while contributing their fair share to the community.
Mr. O’Dea’s proposal is obviously of good intentions, but in my opinion over taxation will always ultimately fall on the property tax payer creating a further burden upon them.
Times are tough as it is and more red tape is certainly not the answer.
As we consider the future leadership of Jersey City, it is imperative to carefully assess proposals that may have serious implications for our economy and community.
Let us strive for solutions that balance fiscal responsibility with economic growth for the betterment of our community.
Sincerely,
Anthony Valdes
Republican Candidate for U.S. House of Representatives
NJ Congressional District 8
Who is this clown?
That picture’s wild
Nonsense.
This piece of crap has no idea what hardworking Jersey City residents need.
These developers to pay their fare share. Thanks all to Fulop.
The area has depended too much on real estate development for growth. This guy seems more interested in developers than his voters.
Anthony Valdes, you have always treated me with respect. I looked forward to the multiple times we met on the campaign trail in West New York when you were campaigning for the Corso/DeFino/Reynoso (et al) ticket and I was running a grass-roots campaign as an Independent in 2015. We certainly agreed that WNY needed more transparency at that time.
With all respect, your argument does not hold up to scrutiny. HC Commissioner O’Dea’s proposal, however, does. It is not because of bad governance that oversight is apparently needed to enforce existing applicable local payroll tax law and collections of same, it is because some selfish developers and construction companies who don’t want to play fair, within the rules, and would rather short-change their obligations to contribute to the educational welfare of Jersey City Public School students and pocket said money for their own caprice.
It really takes an unbelievable narcissist to somehow turn a discussion about property developers in Jersey City to your personal relationship with the author of the letter.
And it takes a true Coward like yourself to hide behind a pseudonym