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Jersey City Ward A Councilman Michael Sottolano has introduced a resolution backing the State League of Municipalities' effort to assess fees on college students for use of city services.

The resolution urges the state Legislature to pass a law establishing annual fees of $100 for full-time students and $50 for part-time students.

Jersey City considers endorsing call to allow cities to charge college students a fee to fund city services
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
By MELISSA HAYES
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

Jersey City Ward A Councilman Michael Sottolano has introduced a resolution backing the State League of Municipalities' effort to assess fees on college students for use of city services.

The resolution urges the state Legislature to pass a law establishing annual fees of $100 for full-time students and $50 for part-time students.

Jersey City is home to St. Peter's College, New Jersey City University and Hudson County Community College, all of which are tax-exempt but are covered by the city's Police and Fire departments.

"We receive no revenue at all in any way, shape or form, and they certainly use a tremendous amount of city services," Sottolano said at Monday's council caucus meeting.

Montclair Mayor Jerry Fried presented the resolution, which was adopted, during the League's annual conference in November.

On Monday, Jersey City Councilman-at-large Mariano Vega took issue with the resolution.

"I think towns that have colleges in them are honored towns," he said, adding that students spend money at local restaurants and businesses.

Sottolano said about 15 municipalities have adopted resolutions.

Bill Dressel, executive director of the League, said a state bill hasn't been drafted, but that the League hopes to get a sponsor after the Legislature reconvenes after the budget hearings in May.

The City Council is set to vote on the resolution tonight.

Clearly, students are the reason this town cannot pull itself out of it's own feces.

1) If you'd like to apply such a fee, it should be by square foot and should be applied to the university directly. Of course that looks a lot like a property tax.

2) Churches and museums are not-for-profits as well. With St. Peters... that's already a church-run organization. Community organizations holding fairs, parades, concerts, lectures, etc., are also.

Why not extend this burden to ALL such moochers? Because Sottolano is afraid of them as many of their constitutents... unlike students... are vocal community members who vote.

3) Demonstrate the burden more clearly: just how much "city services" do these school consume? And what relation is that to STUDENTS, as opposed to school/ administrative/ staff choices?

But really... let's not delude ourselves into thinking the City Council really cares to think this through.

This ordinance will never withstand scrutiny.

Shouldn't Vega be in jail by now?