Maryland’s inheritance tax is 10 percent. It has a top 16 percent estate tax. Its exemption, which was $1 million in 2014, will rise gradually until it meets the federal threshold, which is tied to inflation, in 2019, under legislation enacted by Democratic Governor Martin O’Malley, who has said he is considering a 2016 presidential candidacy.

Highest Taxes

New Jersey residents pay the highest property taxes in the U.S., an average $8,161 in 2014. Though the nation topped its prerecession employment peak in May, New Jersey has regained only 62 percent of the 259,000 jobs lost, according to its labor department. Neighboring New York’s finances have been so robust that last year, it was able to more than double its estate exemption, to $2.06 million, and in 2019 it will match the federal figure.

People are leaving New Jersey faster than any other state, according to a study by United Van Lines, the moving company. Sixty-five percent of New Jersey household moves handled by the company last year were out of state.

The migration is a symptom, Christie said, of a tax-and- spend culture that’s driving residents to lower-cost destinations such as Florida and North Carolina. Those states are among the 31 without taxes on estate transfers or inheritances, according to data from McGuireWoods LLP, an international law firm.

Budget Constraints

Last month, Christie proposed a $33.8 billion fiscal 2016 budget whose 3.8 percent tax-revenue growth is swallowed by rising costs for pensions, benefits and debt service. Over three years, his proposed retirement contributions have totaled $2.67 billion, less than half the $6.95 billion he pledged, and the unfunded obligation has reached $83 billion.

To raise revenue, Democrats who lead the legislature passed a millionaires tax that Christie vetoed four times. He’s also resisted their drive to raise the 10.5-cent-per-gallon gasoline tax. Only Alaska’s is lower.

For the year that starts July 1, Christie may need as much as $7.4 billion more to sustain programs, according to the nonpartisan Office of Legislative Services.

Tax Dilemma