Results: Voters approved this ballot question.
Vote YES on Question 2
On Nov. 4, New Jersey voters will have the opportunity to vote on Question 2, a measure that, if approved, would dedicate a percentage of existing corporate business tax revenues on a long-term basis to ensure reliable funding for land and water protection efforts.
The Trail Conference urges a YES vote on Question 2. This referendum is not perfect, but it is the only chance we have to secure permanent funds for land acquisition and parks improvement, as well as stewardship of parks.
After passage, it is then incumbent on the Trail Conference, the New Jersey Keep It Green Coalition, and everyone with an interest in preserving our parks to ensure the enabling legislation allocates a significant portion of the funds for parks improvement.
Furthermore, we will need to continue working to ensure parks receive adequate annual budgets.
Background
Under the leadership of both parties, New Jersey has dedicated an average of $200 million a year for open space funding since the creation of the Garden State Preservation Trust in 1998. Most recently, voters approved the Green Acres, Water Supply and Floodplain Protection, and Farmland and Historic Preservation Bond Act of 2009, authorizing $400 million for open space, farmland and historic preservation. Bills that appropriated the first half of the 2009 bond funds were signed into law in August of 2011.
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, as well as dedicated annual funding for capital improvements to state parks and other public lands. Since 2012, when funds were set to run out, NJKIG has conducted a Sustainable Funding Campaign to secure a sustainable source of funding for the preservation and stewardship of New Jersey's natural, recreational and historic treasures for generations to come.
February 9, 2015: Draft Legislation Keeps NJ DEP Development Funding at $15 Million
August 4, 2014: Assembly Votes to Put Open Space Funding to Public Vote in November.
January 7, 2014: Senate to Vote Thursday, Jan. 9, on 2014 Conservation Funding Proposal
Dec. 13, 2013: NJ lawmakers consider two proposals to fund land preservation
Dec. 9, 2013: Support is growing for a proposal to dedicate 2.4% of the state's existing sales tax to conservation. The bill must be approved by the state Senate and Assembly and then by voters in a referendum. Contact your representatives now and urge them to support SCR165, and get it on the ballot in November. The bill is to be considered by the Senate Environment and Energy Committee this Thursday.
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Open Space Vote
VOTE NO for Public Question #2 in NJ 2014