Gov. Christie proposes covering 20 percent of the cost for N.J. towns looking to consolidate

Gov. Christie proposes covering 20 percent of the cost for N.J. towns looking to consolidate

Consolidation has long been looked to as a way to bring down New Jersey's ever-skyrocketing property taxes. But some argue the state's "home rule" mentality is an obstacle that proves almost impossible to overcome. Few consolidation efforts have been successful among the state's 566 municipalities.

"Sensible, locally-driven consolidation must be supported by state government, and that is exactly what we are doing," Christie said in a prepared statement.