"We, too, believe in the tradition of independent government and home rule, but perhaps regional planning is the answer now."

New Jersey has a strong tradition of municipal home rule.

The difficulty in solving the issue reflects the state's politically sacrosanct tradition of home rule, allowing local communities to control their own schools.

Even so, the state's tradition of strong home rule contributes to a guarded approach.

With its long tradition of home rule, New Jersey has 566 cities and towns.

Those towns complain that the new system is slow and prone to errors and that it infringes on the state's tradition of home rule.

The first, denounced in April of that year, attempted to establish a governing junta, maintaining the tradition of home rule.

There are many contributing factors, including the longstanding tradition of home rule: 566 municipalities, 611 school districts, 21 counties and 188 fire districts.

With a long tradition of home rule in the state, planning and zoning have always been the responsibilities of local municipalities.

In a state with a strong tradition of home rule, the bill died in committee.