We New Jersey citizens are living with a regressive tax, and it seems the state legislators can't get together to correct the problem.

Talk to any member of the Assembly or Senate, and they will agree that using our property tax to fund education is regressive and unfair. So why don't they do something about it?

Presently, because of the regressive tax system, there are widows, retired senior citizens and unemployed citizens paying as much as 30 percent of their income to fund primary and secondary education, while at the same time those people on the higher-income scale are paying as little as 1 percent of their income for the same purpose. This situation is blatantly unfair and should be corrected now by having everyone pay the same percentage of their income to fund education. This can be implemented by a flat 5-percent state income tax to fund primary and secondary education, removing funding education by property taxes.

If this were done, all property taxes would be reduced by approximately 60 percent. What a wonderful financial break this would be for those in need. Think of it. A senior with a $6,000 property tax would have the tax reduced to only $2,400, a savings of $3,600 per year. If his or her pension is $20,000, that person would be required to pay $1,000 to fund education.

Persons in the high earning bracket would, of course, pay their fair share of 5 percent of their earnings to fund education. For too long, these people have not paid their fair share and should be required to do so.

I don't understand why Gov. Jon Corzine hasn't corrected the problem. One reason could be that he would have to pay his fair share.

If the 5-percent flat income tax that I have suggested is implemented, I will be required to pay more taxes. As of now, I am ashamed to know that a widow neighbor living on much less income than I am is paying a higher percentage of income than I am to fund education. A lot of people should feel ashamed regarding paying a lower percentage of their income than those earning much less.

Perhaps a thoughtful, considerate candidate for governor will review the regressive tax and do something about it.
Frank J. Coury
East Brunswick