TRENTON — According to a release from Americans for Tax Reform, New Jersey workers must work until July 22, 11 days after their peers, nationwide, to fund government. That translates to working 203 days to pay for the cost of government.

Annually, the group, based in Washington, D.C. calculates what it calls the “Cost of Government Day.” That is the d ate on the calendar on which the average American worker has earned enough gross income to pay off his or her share of spending and regulatory burdens imposed by all levels of government, federal, state and local.

This year, July 11 is the date when the average American “will have worked enough days to pay for their share of government spending and regulations,” according to the group.

“This year’s national Cost of Government Day is two days later then 2006,” the group stated.

“Unless federal, state and local lawmakers restrain spending and seek free market solutions to meet their goals, next year Americans will be forced to work even longer to pay for government spending and regulations,” it stated.

The group is a non-partisan coalition of taxpayers and taxpayer groups who oppose all federal, state and local tax increases.