Does Jack Ciattarelli, the Republican candidate for Governor of New Jersey, want to levy a 10% sales tax on New Jerseyans?
If you believe a new ad just released by something called the Greater Garden State – a hardline Democrat entity – the answer is yes, he said so. According to the ad Ciattarelli – among other high crimes and misdemeanors – tells us “he’s talking about a 10% sales tax”. The claim is based on his comments at a Bergen County rally on June 4th.
So, did he really say that?
Tell you what: let’s look at his exact quote, with context, as posted in Anna Gustafson’s article for jerseyindependent.com, and see for ourselves.
Here it is:
“I just came back from Tennessee not too long ago. We were on a fundraising trip there, and Tennessee has no income tax. What Tennessee has is a 10% sales tax on everything, including food and clothing.
“The philosophy has always been in this state [that] we have like a 7% sales tax just to round off the numbers, but there’s no sales tax on necessities of life, food and clothing. I will work with the New Jersey State Society of CPAs. We’re going to look at what other states do. And every option is on the table.”
What do you see in those words?
Here is what I see: Ciatterelli mentioned Tennessee’s 10% sales tax only in the context that he had just been there and that it differs from New Jersey’s 7% sales tax. He then said he’d look at what other states do and that all options are open.
Looking at other states means looking at other states. No more, no less. Ciatterelli did not say or imply that he was specifically considering Tennessee’s 10% sales any more than he implied or said that he was considering New Hampshire’s 0% sales tax.
In short, the ad is political BS. And – trust me on this one – it will not be the last. Not in New Jersey.
