{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://macarthur.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-macarthur-invites-governor-elect-murphy-discussion-tax", "Congressman MacArthur Invites Governor-Elect Murphy to a Discussion on Tax Policy", "2017-11-20", "2017", "2017-11", "Republican", "House", "NJ", "Tom MacArthur", "M001193", "macarthur.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congressman Tom MacArthur sent a letter to Governor-Elect Phil Murphy inviting him to a substantive discussion on tax policy, after the Governor-Elect questioned the Congressman\u2019s efforts to provide tax relief for New Jerseyans.\nThe full text of the letter is below:\nDear Governor-Elect Murphy,\nThe day after you were elected, I was pleased to talk with you and agree to work together to improve the lives of New Jerseyans, while refraining from taking cheap political shots at each other. I thought we had a good conversation and remain hopeful we can have a productive working relationship. I was therefore, very disappointed by press reports that during your very first sit-down TV interview this past weekend, you chose to go after me over my sincere efforts to provide real tax relief for my constituents.\nWhile you have promised to raise taxes on New Jerseyans by $1.3 billion dollars, the bill I voted for will cut taxes for the vast majority of families and businesses in our state. This bill includes a number of provisions that will benefit our residents including:\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Increasing the child tax credit from $1,000 per child to at least $1,600\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Creating a tax credit for those caring for non-child dependents\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Doubling the standard deduction to $24,000 for a family\u00a0\u00a0\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Preserving a property tax deduction that will benefit all N.J. homeowners\n\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Moving from a high-rate system with lots of loopholes that usually just benefit the wealthy, to a simpler, fairer system that lowers rates and closes loopholes\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\nFurthermore, I understand that state legislative leaders in New Jersey are already reconsidering their plans to raise taxes, which would be a welcome new direction for Trenton.\nI have never shied away from a serious policy discussion and recently held a five hour town hall meeting in Willingboro, a town in which I only received 12% of the vote in the last election. In that same spirit of an open and honest dialogue, I'd like to invite you to my home county for a substantive discussion on tax policy. Let\u2019s put the talking points aside and have a conversation about your plan to raise taxes in N.J. and my efforts for real tax reform in Washington D.C.\u00a0 Our mutual constituents deserve nothing less.\u00a0\nYou have my cell phone number and should feel free to call me to discuss.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://macarthur.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-macarthur-invites-governor-elect-murphy-discussion-tax"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.5022880397737026, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}