September 12, 2001

Senator Donald DiFrancesco
1816 Front Street
Scotch Plains, NJ 07076

Assemblyman Richard Bagger
203 Elm Street
Westfield, NJ 07090

Assemblyman Thomas Kean
1801 E. Second Street
Scotch Plains, NJ 07076

    RE:  Civil Union spouses and tax forms

Dear Senator DiFrancesco, Assemblyman Bagger and Assemblyman Kean,

    I was asked to send my concern to my Assembly and Senate representatives.  As you will note by the copy of a letter sent to me by Nicholas Catalano, Chief, Regulatory Services, I have not been given an answer as to to what action the executive branch of New Jersey government will take regarding the tax forms.   Those in Civil Unions will be required to lie on a state government document according to the conversation I had with Mr. Catalano.

    His own remarks in a telephone conversation I had with him today were insightful as to the workings of the state government.  Mr. Catalano was also not pleased with my questions regarding this matter.  He stated that it was "standard operating procedure" for letters to be sent since they get hundreds sent to the office.  He further stated that if I am "law abiding," I must file as single.  Of course, this is not possible since I am not a single individual but a Civil Union spouse.  He also made the threatening  remark that "if I owe money," I would be contacted.

    I seek equality under the law and will not lie on the tax forms for 2001.  Please inform me as to the administrative procedure to appeal the decision made by the Department of the Treasury of the State of New Jersey through their representative, Nicholas Catalano.

    Thank you for your help.

Sincerely,

George DeCarlo
[address]

enc. (NJ Div of Taxation, NJ Dept of Treasury 8/30, NJ Dept of Treasury 9/10)

cc:    New Jersey Department of Treasury
        Office of the State Treasurer
        Peter Lawrence, Acting State Treasurer
        State House, 1st Floor
        P.O. Box 002
        Trenton, NJ 08625

        New Jersey Department of Treasury
        Division of Taxation
        Robert Thompson, Director
        State House, 1st Floor
        P.O. Box 002
        Trenton, NJ 08625