Mayor James Solomon campaign slogan next to a new development advisory near Communipaw Avenue and Seidler Street in Jersey City. (Adrienne J. Romero / SOC Images)
On June 18, 2026, Jersey City Mayor James Solomon announced a proposed 20% property tax increase aimed to fix their massive “inherited” deficit. Many residents spoke loudly against the news through social media, packed council meetings and supplementary community town halls that took space and weighed as a burden in conversations as casual as “How are you doing?”
Then at an Aug. 26 special council meeting—where just a few people gathered to hear the final decision—the noise immediately dissipated after City Clerk Sean Gallagher uttered, “City resolution is approved 8-0-1.”…