State questions

Burlington County Times – Sunday, October 28, 2007

A mixed bag of state questions appears on the ballot New Jersey voters will confront next week. Three involve issues that hit residents in the pocketbook, a fourth addresses outdated and offensive language in the state Constitution.

Question No. 1 asks whether the state should dedicate the entire amount of last year's sales tax increase to property tax rebates.

In July of 2006, the state raised its sales tax from 6 to 7 percent. The following November, voters approved dedicating one-half of that penny hike to property tax reform. This question asks them to dedicate the remaining half-cent to the same Property Tax Reform Account.

It sounds alluring on the surface who wouldn't want more money flowing back in that rebate check? But as the League of Women Voters points out, a yes vote means that not one cent of last year's sales-tax increase will be available to the state's general budget.

Bottom line: Money to balance the state budget will have to be found elsewhere. That's a tough assignment in a cash-strapped state like ours, and the dedication of the funds gives lawmakers no flexibility at a time when they are running out of options.

Bad fiscal policy makes for bad public questions. Vote no on this one.

Question No. 2 asks if voters want the state to approve the New Jersey Stem Cell Research Bond Act, which authorizes Trenton to issue bonds in the amount of $450 million for grants to fund scientific and medical research.

Many experts believe stem cells hold the key to dealing with such devastating illnesses as diabetes, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's, as well as spinal cord injuries.

Again, the state's precarious financial straits make us wonder if New Jersey can afford a move like this.

But then we consider all the good this research can ultimately do, as well as the cutting-edge biomedical giants the research opportunities can lure to New Jersey, and conclude we cannot afford not to support the measure.

Vote yes on this one.

Question No. 3 asks if voters should allow the state to borrow $200 million in general obligation bonds to provide money for more open space acquisitions, this time including so-called blue acres floodways of the Delaware, Passaic and Raritan rivers.

New Jersey residents have expressed strong support for any question that carried the magic words open space. Their instincts have been good. Once land is gone, it's gone for good.

It's a tough call, but this may not be the right time for an additional burden on taxpayers' already bowed shoulders.

As the League of Women Voters reminds us, the state is already $33.7 billion in debt. With the $3 billion this costs in interest, the last thing we need is more debt.

Vote no on this one.

Finally, Question No. 4 won't cost much, if anything, but it will clean up objectionable words in the state Constitution.

One section of that document denies the right to vote to idiots and insane persons using terms advocates for the disabled and mentally ill find offensive and stigmatizing.

The question asks voters to approve an amendment that would change not the qualifications for voting but the language used to describe them.

It's a reasonable and overdue measure.

Vote yes on this one.

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