Keep it Green

NJ KEEP IT GREEN DISAPPOINTED VOTERS WILL NOT HAVE OPPORTUNITY TO DECIDE THIS NOVEMBER ON OPEN SPACE FUNDING

From Robert von Zumbusch

To members of:

- D&R Canal Coalition

- Kingston Greenway Association

- Kingston Historical Society

- Friends of Princeton Nursery Lands

- Friends of Princeton Open Space

- Kingston Village Advisory Committee

- Millstone Valley Preservation Coalition

- Princeton Historic Preservation Commission

When I left the State House a 6:30 pm last night, there was still a slim hope that two more votes might still come in.  Unfortunately, the following very disappointing information was received from Tom Gilbert and Kelly Mooij of the NJ Keep It Green Coalition late last night. 

Thank all of you for your support.  Your support will be needed again in the coming months.

Robert

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From: CommonGround [mailto:commonground-bounces@mail.njkeepitgreen.org]

On Behalf Of Tom Gilbert
Sent: Monday, July 29, 2013 11:30 PM
To: commonground@mail.njkeepitgreen.org
Subject: [Commonground] 22 to 8 vote today

KIG Coalition Members and Supporters:

Late this evening we were briefed by the Senate President and Senator Smith that they were closing the board (voting) list with the vote count at 22 Yes and 8 No, two votes shy of the super-majority needed for referral to the ballot this year, but with one more vote than a simple majority.

They had just spoken with Assembly leadership who relayed their unwillingness to move the bill forward at this time regardless of the outcome in the Senate.  The Senate President suggested that the bill could and should be passed by simple majority this year and again early next year to refer the measure to the Nov. 2104 ballot.  He asserted that the Senate had done their part, remains committed to getting this done, and now the Assembly needs to act.

While we are all obviously disappointed that the issue won't be referred to the ballot this November, we have made tremendous strides and have an opportunity to move the legislation to the Nov. 2014 ballot with similar action by the Assembly this year, and simple-majority approval by both chambers again next year.  That is now our goal.

KIG had another very strong showing at the Statehouse today, in the press, and through the many members calling legislative offices.  We are extremely grateful for and proud of this coalition's determination and commitment.

Please see our press statement below thanking Senate leadership for acting on the issue for the second time, expressing disappointment in the 8 Republican Senators who "flip-flopped" on their earlier vote of support, and calling on the Assembly to show some leadership on the issue.

Please stay tuned for next steps, including following up on the Senate vote, and ramping up the pressure on the Assembly to act this year.

Thanks for all you do!

Tom and Kelly

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NJ KEEP IT GREEN DISAPPOINTED VOTERS WILL NOT HAVE OPPORTUNITY TO DECIDE

THIS NOVEMBER ON OPEN SPACE FUNDING

Coalition Thanks Senate Leadership, Calls Upon Assembly to Bring Bill to Vote

TRENTON, N.J. - NJ Keep It Green today thanked the Senate for its continued leadership on open space funding and for its approval of landmark legislation that provides a sustainable source of funding for preservation projects by a 22 to 8 vote. The Coalition expressed disappointment that the legislation did not receive the three-fifths super majority needed to refer the measure to the ballot this November.

NJ Keep It Green now urges the Assembly to vote on the bill this year so that the Legislature can pass it two years in a row by simple majority to refer it to the November 2014 ballot. 

"The Senate has now acted on this twice, and it is the Assembly's turn to show some leadership on this important issue," said Tom Glibert, NJ Keep It Green chairman. "The Assembly should consider this legislation this summer so that there is a chance for the members to demonstrate their support for these critical preservation programs and allow for the opportunity to pass the bill by simple majority in two successive years.

"We thank Senate President Sweeney and Senators Smith and Bateman for their continued leadership and are deeply appreciative of those who voted in favor of the bill," Gilbert continued. "We are extremely disappointed in the many Republican Senators - with the exception of Senators Bateman and Allen who deserve great credit for their leadership - who supported the bill originally and flipped their votes today. This has never been a partisan issue, and it should not become one now."

The legislation would ask voters to dedicate a flat $200 million annually in sales-tax revenues for Green Acres, Blue Acres, Farmland Preservation and Historic Preservation. The dedication represents the average annual investment the state has been making in preservation efforts since 1998 and is less than 1 percent of the state budget.  The funds would come from the projected growth of more than $400 million annually in sales taxes revenues leaving hundreds of millions of dollars available to fund other programs above and beyond today's levels.

"With funds from the 2009 bond referendum for Green Acres, Blue Acres, Farmland and Historic Preservation fully allocated, there is no new money in the pipeline to continue vital land, water and historic preservation efforts," said Kelly Mooij, coordinator of NJ Keep It Green.  "Thousands of acres are at risk of being lost to development and the critical projects already underway throughout the state may not come to completion without timely and continued funding."

The legislation is sponsored by Sens. Robert Smith and Christopher "Kip" Bateman and Reps. Grace Spencer, John McKeon, Louis Greenwald, Bonnie Watson Coleman, Charles Mainor, Herb Conaway and Jason O'Donnell.

Approximately 20 percent of the state, or one million acres, still remain unprotected and developable. Yet there is a significant need to preserve hundreds of thousands of critical acres of open space, drinking water sources, and natural buffers along the coast and in-land waterways that will help prevent future flood and storm damage.  Further, an additional 350,000 acres of farmland need to be preserved to maintain a viable agricultural industry.

Agriculture is the state's third largest industry, with the state's more than 10,000 farms generating at least a billion dollars annually.

Moreover, every $1 invested in state land preservation efforts returns $10 in economic value to the state through nature's goods and services, like flood control and water filtration, which would otherwise have to be paid for by taxpayers. 

Since 1961 New Jersey voters have passed 13 out of 13 ballot measures supportive of funding for open space, farmland and historic preservation.  Moreover, voter surveys continue to indicate overwhelming support for a dedicated sales tax for open space funding. 

                                  

A NJ Keep It Green commissioned survey last month of 600 registered likely voters found that 75 percent of voters support dedicating one-fifth of one cent of state sales tax revenues to fund open space, farmland and historic preservation programs.

Similar legislation received a super-majority vote when it went before the Senate earlier this summer. Since the start of the year 16 counties - Bergen, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Essex, Gloucester, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Passaic, Salem, Somerset, Union and Warren - and more than 60 municipalities have passed resolutions supporting sustainable open space funding as have the NJ Highlands Council and the New Jersey State League of Municipalities.

About NJ Keep It Green NJ Keep It Green is a coalition of more than 180 park and conservation advocates working to create a long-term, dedicated source of funding for the preservation and stewardship of New Jersey's natural areas, waterways, parks, farmland and historic sites. NJ Keep It Green led successful campaigns to pass statewide ballot measures in 2006, 2007, and 2009 generating $600 million for state open space, farmland and historic preservation programs. For more information or to sign the NJ Keep It Green Statement of Support, visit www.njkeepitgreen.org.