NJ Will Vote on Open Space Funding

The ballots in November will include whether to dedicate a portion of New Jersey’s business tax revenue to the protection of open space and farmland.

4 percent from NJ’s corporation business tax is currently dedicated to environmental projects. If the new measure is passed, part of that revenue5 will go to the preservation of open spaces and farmland. The measure would also raise the original 4 percent to

The State Assembly voted on Monday to include the question on the ballot.

“Simply put, once New Jersey’s open space has been developed, we can’t get it back,” Sen. Bob Smith told the Burlington County Times. “That is why it is so important that we take action to preserve New Jersey’s remaining open space, farmland and clean water supply.”

New Jersey has approved 13 other measures to support land protection since 1961.

Both Democrats and Republicans in the state Assembly back the plan, but nine members of the Assembly voted against the measure.

“Constitutionally dedicating more revenues for a specific purpose will only hamper our ability to fund necessary programs during the next budget cycle,” said Assemblyman David Rible.

Americans For Prosperity, a group that lobbies for lower taxes, opposes the new measure.

“The state will be driving property taxes even higher for struggling New Jersey families,” said Daryn Iwicki, the state director of Americans for Prosperity, said.