
When Republican candidate Kim Guadagno says property taxes are the number one issue in the 2017 gubernatorial campaign, she may be right. WNYC asked for voters' questions (submit your question here), and the most frequent requests were surprising.
1. Property Taxes
Voters want to know how the candidates will lower them, and in a sign that many New Jersey residents are frustrated with the promises of previous governors, many people want to know if the next governor would decline to run for re-election if they don't fulfill their pledge.
2. The Environment
Admittedly, this is a broad category. But we've received almost as many questions about the environment as taxes. Voters want to know about climate change, restrictions on building pipelines, conserving open space (most notably the Pinelands and the Highlands), protecting drinking water and reducing pollution.
3. Affordable Housing
Some New Jersey voters want more affordable housing, but a large number of questions include complaints about the state's landmark law that requires every town to build it. Many complain about over-development, or high-density apartment complexes, and they want to know what the candidates will do to conserve the suburban feel of their town.
4. Public Employee Pensions
It's no surprise that many people want to know what the candidates will do about the pension system, which is underfunded and has caused the state to have its credit rating downgraded. The pension system serves some 760,000 people, both current and former workers, and it is likely to cause taxes to rise in the state.
5. Politics
This category is catch-all for a variety of questions that include what the candidates will do to stop President Trump from harming the state. Voters also are concerned about corruption, transparency, and elected officeholders who hold two or three government positions.
Alexander Gonzalez contributed to this report.