Trenton has experienced a steady economic decline over the years due to a range of structural and policy challenges. Despite this history, Trenton can rebound in the same way we've seen progress in cities like Newark and Camden. Achieving that recovery will require meaningful investment and stronger partnerships with state and county governments.

One of the biggest obstacles facing Trenton is the amount of land that doesn't generate property tax revenue. About one-third of the city’s eight square miles is occupied by state-owned buildings and parking lots. When you include the presence of county-owned facilities, along with federal buildings, hospitals, and churches, the numbers become even more concerning.

Today, an estimated 50 to 57 percent of all land in Trenton is tax-exempt.

Much of this land is concentrated in downtown Trenton and along the waterfront, some of the city’s most valuable and strategically important areas. Because this land cannot be developed for private, tax-paying use, it severely limits Trenton’s tax base and long-term growth.

This imbalance is a major reason Trenton has the highest effective tax rate in Mercer County. The city is forced to fund its services using only about half of its available land, placing an unfair financial burden on residents and homeowners.

My Plan For Trenton

As your Councilman, I will work closely with city, county, and state leaders to pursue real tax relief for Trentonians and advocate for policies that encourage responsible development. I will also advocate to Governor Sherrill for state tax incentives for private institutions to establish a presence in Trenton. Trenton deserves a fair shot at growth, investment, and long-term economic stability, but we can’t do it on our own without investment from state government.