Crime, Tax-Cut Proposals Loom Large in Gubernatorial Races

By Julie A. Miller

The lesson of Republican Christine Todd Whitman's 1992 gubernatorial victory, in which New Jersey voters gave her the nod largely because she promised to slash income taxes, was not lost on her colleagues.

While crime is the dominant theme in this year's 36 gubernatorial races, tax-cut proposals--along with their close cousin, property-tax relief--are also receiving significant attention.

In some cases, the candidates are proposing countervailing increases in other taxes; most are not. And several races pit Democrats who are championing tax reform against Republicans who contend...