Brian Stack’s Manufactured Heroism: Secaucus Tax Spike a Corrupt Political Stunt

In a move that reeks of political theater, Hudson County’s recent property tax hike—specifically the crippling 30% increase on Secaucus residents—appears less like a fiscal necessity and more like a deliberate power play orchestrated by State Senator and Union City Mayor Brian Stack and his county allies.

On the surface, the story reads like a political rescue: the county hits Secaucus with a devastating tax bill, and Brian Stack miraculously swoops in with $3 million in state aid to save the day. But dig a little deeper, and the ugly reality of Hudson County’s backroom politics becomes painfully clear: the crisis was likely engineered to elevate Stack’s profile and punish political dissent.

Secaucus Targeted for Political Payback

It’s no coincidence that Secaucus stood nearly alone in not supporting Stack’s chosen candidates during the most recent Democratic primary. Instead, Secaucus officials backed incumbent Sheriff Frank Schillari—a direct snub to the Stack machine. Now, suddenly, Secaucus is saddled with the largest tax increase in the entire county while neighboring municipalities, many of which reliably back Stack, were spared from such a brutal financial blow.

This isn’t fiscal management—it’s political retaliation.

Stack’s “Solution” Was the Plan All Along

The so-called bailout from Stack is not an act of selfless leadership; it’s the second half of a staged crisis. Stack’s allies in the Hudson County Executive’s office and the Board of County Commissioners created the problem, then Stack positions himself as the solution, securing state funds to cover a portion of the damage. It’s a classic maneuver: set the fire, then show up with the bucket of water.

Even after Stack’s “heroic” intervention, Secaucus taxpayers are still left holding the bag for over $3 million in new taxes. The financial wound isn’t healed—it’s just been papered over to give Stack the political photo op he needs.

Corruption in Plain Sight

What we’re witnessing is not just political gamesmanship—it’s blatant corruption. The residents of Secaucus are collateral damage in Stack’s relentless pursuit of power and control over Hudson County. This is the same Brian Stack whose political machine has long been accused of operating like an authoritarian regime in Union City, where intimidation, retaliation, and pay-to-play politics are not the exception—they are the rule.

The County Executive Craig Guy and the Board of County Commissioners should be held equally accountable. They are either complicit in this political hit job or hopelessly inept at managing county finances. Either way, they have failed the people of Hudson County.

The Public Deserves Better

Hudson County’s long history of political manipulation and backdoor deals is alive and well under Brian Stack’s leadership. But taxpayers are growing tired of these games. They deserve elected officials who work for them, not for their own egos, ambitions, and vendettas.

Stack’s latest stunt may have temporarily fooled some into thinking he’s the savior of Secaucus, but the truth is clear: he created the problem, and now he wants applause for pretending to fix it.

The people of Secaucus—and all of Hudson County—should not be pawns in Brian Stack’s political chessboard. It’s time to call this what it is: a corrupt, self-serving abuse of power.