$600 million Open Space Ballot question

by: Jason Springer

Fri May 08, 2009 at 02:30:00 PM EDT

"We're broke. And you have a historic opportunity. Land prices in New Jersey are at historic lows," Smith said. "Of course, at the same time you have an economic tsunami that is very difficult for our citizens in this state."

Smith said the borrowing would permit the state to spend $200 million a year for three years buying open space and preserving farms and historic sites. There isn't a dedicated stream of revenue identified to repay the bonds.

Sen. Phil Haines, R-Burlington, withdrew as a prime sponsor of the bill, which he said ignores taxpayers' unease and would be the second-largest borrowing plan ever put before New Jersey voters.

"A bond issuance of this size, in these perilous economic times, will almost certainly fail at the ballot box. Failure will cause irreparable harm to the cause of preserving open space and farmland," Haines said.

That prospect of rejection in November was cited by the advocacy groups - Environment New Jersey, New Jersey Environmental Federation, New Jersey Environmental Lobby and the Sierra Club - now opposing the bill.

"Given the economic climate and state's reckless borrow-and-spend history, we're not confident a majority will support this question despite the popularity of open space, and a failed question would do more damage to the state's open space program than no question," said Mike Pisauro of the Environmental Lobby.

The last question on the ballot regarding open space funding passed in 2007, but by a smaller margin than past questions.  Some environmental supporters would prefer to see a dedicated revenue source rather than a ballot question because they worry the public won't continue to the funding at necessary levels. This concern is enhanced when you look at our long term devt issues. But many of the programs with dedicated funding are now worried about facing the budget ax however. Assemblyman McKeon says the Assembly environmental committee will consider the legislation this monday. How would you prefer to see us fund Open Space and do you think the voters can stomach the $600 million number?