Open Space Press Releases:
For Immediate Release: Tuesday, May 22, 2007Contacts:
David Pringle, NJ Environmental Federation, (732) 996-4288
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Jeff Tittel, NJ Sierra Club, (609) 558-9100
Legislative Leaders: Governor, Let Voters Judge Open Space Don't hold Open Space Hostage To Asset Monetization
Trenton, NJ - At a statehouse press conference hosted by the prime sponsors, a cadre of legislators from both parties and both houses supported by New Jersey's environmental community urged the Governor to stop opposing SCR136/ACR10-229, which would ask voters this November to renew and strengthen the state's open space program.
The legislation, sponsored by Sens. Sweeney (D-Gloucester) and Kean (R-Union) and Assemblymen Fisher (D-Cumberland) and McKeon (D-Essex), if approved by voters would dedicate a small fraction of existing sales tax revenue ($175 million) to fund the Garden State Preservation Trust (GSPT).
As evidenced by today's press conference attended by Sens. Sweeney, Kean, and Allen (R-Burlington), as well as Asm. Fisher and Asw. Greenstein (D-Plainsboro), this release, a majority of the Assembly sponsoring the bill, as well as letters from over 40 legislators including from at least 37 on one to the Governor (attached) released at today's press conference, the legislation enjoys broad, deep, bipartisan support in both the Assembly and the Senate but is currently being blocked by Governor Corzine. The letters started being distributed last week and additional signees are coming in daily.
The GSPT funds New Jersey's open space, farms and historic preservation programs. It will run out of money this year, and funds for matching grants to local governments and nonprofits have already run out. To ensure this vital program continues, the Legislature must pass legislation before the summer break that would place renewal of GSPT in front of voters this November.
Senator Thomas H. Kean (R-Union)::"I am proud to serve as the co-prime sponsor of SCR-136 with Senator Sweeney, and to work with him toward passage of this renewal of the Garden State Preservation Trust. However, I am shocked by recent news accounts and statements indicating that the Corzine Administration is holding the renewal hostage to asset monetization schemes. Preserving and protecting our natural and historic resources is not a partisan issue nor should it become a political football.
Assemblyman Doug Fisher (D-Cumberland): "The GSPT has been lauded as one of the nation's most successful programs for protecting essential areas of open space. Our open spaces support recreation for residents at neighborhood parks and local historic sites and critical habitat for wildlife in the highlands, pinelands and wetlands across New Jersey."
Assemblyman Mike Panter (D-Monmouth): "The decision to renew the GSPT must be left up to the voters this November, and its survival should not be tied to a financial scheme that has not yet been fully vetted and enjoys an uncertain level of public support."
Assembly Majority Leader Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-Mercer), 5.14.07 press release: "Our open spaces provide recreation for all New Jerseyans whether they are hiking along a path in a state park, learning about our state at a historic site, or experiencing nature firsthand at a farm. Preserving our state's open space areas is one of the most important legacies we can leave our children and generations to come."
Senate Republican Leader Leonard Lance (R-Hunterdon): "We cannot allow the politics of the moment to deny the voters their opportunity to expand upon the unparalleled success that the Garden State Preservation Trust has enjoyed since its inception." Lance was the prime sponsor of the legislation that created the Trust in 1998 and is currently prime sponsor of SCR136's companion legislation, SCR131.
Assembly Republican Leader Alex DeCroce (R-Morris), 5.15.07 press release: "Governor Corzine knows of the strong support for green acres funding and this is nothing less than an attempt to blackmail the Legislature to support his risky asset monetization scheme."
Assemblyman John McKeon (D-Essex): "The value of our state's resources like state parks, historical monuments, and precious farmlands are priceless. We must continue to provide funding to support the protection and preservation of our state's dwindling open spaces that add to the richness and character of our state and vastly improve the quality of everyday life for New Jerseyans."
Assemblyman Nelson Albano (D-Cape May): "There is a critical need for New Jersey to take immediate action to protect our state's valuable open space areas from the pressures of development. Our state is facing the threat of reaching complete build-out within the next twenty-five years -- we must act now to permanently protect our state's natural areas from being lost forever."
Senator Diane Allen (R-Burlington): "The Legislature must immediately act to renew the Garden State Preservation Trust before time runs out to place this measure on the November ballot for voter approval. We simply cannot afford to have our open space, farmland, and historic structures lost forever while Trenton politicians play fast and loose with our future."
Senator Nicholas Asselta (R-Vineland): "New Jersey is losing nearly 50 acres of open space and farmland every day. The decision to deny the electorate the opportunity a vote to reauthorize the Garden State Preservation Trust is undemocratic and fiscally irresponsible."
Asm. Mims Hackett, Jr. (D-Orange): "The GSPT has a direct and substantial impact upon every area of this state. For my district, the 27th in Essex County, it means protecting our ever dwindling open space in our suburbs. It will mean more desperately needed parks and green space in our cities. The entire state needs the GSPT because time is truly of the essence, and our State's voters should have the opportunity to weigh in with their collective view."
Assemblywoman Joan Voss (D-Ft. Lee): "Preserving open space in NJ must be a priority. Our state is one of the most diverse and beautiful in the nation, but it is so densely populated that we must do all we can to preserve what is left of open space."
Assemblywoman Linda Greenstein (D-Middlesex): "I respectfully call upon my fellow lawmakers and Governor Corzine to support ACR10, which would let voters decide this November whether to renew funding for the GSPT."
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