New Jersey Legislators are being asked to overturn Gov. Christie's conditional veto of the open space bill.
It's not often that New Jersey Legislators attempt to override a governor's veto ... but now should be one of those times.
Almost two years ago, New Jersey voters went to the polls and voted overwhelmingly in favor of a constitutional amendment to create a permanent, dedicated source of state funding to preserve open space, farmland and historic sites.
The dedicated revenue has been accumulating in state coffers ever since but, incredibly, not a dollar has been spent as intended. That's because Gov. Chris Christie has twice vetoed enabling legislation, effectively freezing the funds.
The most recent was a conditional veto on May 23, in which the governor substituted language granting his administration overly broad powers to divert funding elsewhere.
Christie won't spend preservation money
The conditional veto directly contradicts the will of voters - a 65 percent majority - who made the historic decision in November 2014 to permanently dedicate money for land preservation in the nation's most densely populated state.
If accepted by the Legislature, the governor's conditional veto would damage land preservation efforts by:
- Allowing the administration to delay funding for Green Acres, farmland and historic preservation projects for up to a year.
- Permitting the Governor to use Green Acres funds for routine operation and maintenance of state facilities, rather than acquiring and preserving land as the voters intended. Voters did not intend for constitutionally dedicated preservation funds to fill gaps in the state budget.
- Expanding the use of farmland preservation funds to include operation and maintenance of agricultural operations.
- Removing specific allocations for different Green Acres Program areas, meaning local governments and nonprofits would not be able to plan effectively for preservation projects going forward. Funding for programs would vary - perhaps dramatically - from year to year, depending on the administration's wishes.
Garden State residents have voted unequivocally, for themselves and future generations, to preserve lands that safeguard drinking water, produce fresh local foods, protect our native plants and animals, provide place for families to play, and honor our historic legacy. Given the clear language of the 2014 ballot question and the public's decisive vote, the Legislature should override the governor's conditional veto.
Gov. creates open space crisis in N.J.
The voters want this money to preserve land. The governor wants this money to pay bills. Gov. Christie's conditions are not what New Jerseyans voted for in November 2014.
Please contact your legislators today and ask them to override Gov. Christie's veto and uphold the will of the voters. Because a two-thirds majority of the legislature is required, every vote is critical. Your legislators need to know that you and their constituents support open space preservation and want them to override the governor's veto.
You can also find your legislators and send them emails through the Legislature's website.
Thank you speaking out for open space preservation. For more information on preserving New Jersey's land and natural resources, visit the New Jersey Conservation Foundation website or contact me at info@njconservation.org.
Michele S. Byers is executive director of the New Jersey Conservation Foundation.