Ballot questions: Our preferences
Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 11/2/07
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New Jersey voters have approved 32 consecutive statewide public questions, dating to 1990. On Tuesday, when four questions will appear on the ballot, lawmakers are hoping the streak will be extended to 36. We think it should be broken. Today, we present our positions on Public Questions 1 and 3.
SALES TAX DEDICATION
Public Question No. 1 seeks voter approval of an amendment to the state constitution that would permanently dedicate 1 cent of the sales tax to property tax relief. It's essentially asking voters to endorse last year's increase in the sales tax — from 6 cents on a dollar to 7 cents — and the scheme to take money from one pocket, put it into the other pocket, and call it "relief." It isn't relief. It's a shell game.
The Legislature wants to use the sales tax revenue to continue its rebate program, a ruse used to buy votes by giving taxpayers some of their own money back. Approval of the question will decrease the odds of the sales tax increase ever being rolled back. And by taking sales tax revenue out of the general revenue stream, it will either open up a bigger hole in the state budget or prove the money wasn't really needed in the first place.
Lawmakers quarreled over raising the sales tax last year, with Gov. Corzine insisting the state needed the money to balance the books — a concern that has been deepened by the state's anticipated $3.5 billion budget shortfall next year. The Legislature only agreed to the tax hike if half of the revenue from it was set aside for property tax relief. Now it wants voters to set aside the other half.
Voters sick of the Trenton charade shouldn't let Legislature keep moving their money around. Corzine and state Democratic lawmakers have made a half-hearted effort to cut spending. Instead, they have gone on a spending rampage — state spending is up 50 percent in the last six years. They shouldn't be making tax increases permanent through constitutional amendments until they've learned
to control their spending addiction.
Voters should reject Public Question No. 1. Then they should contact legislative leaders, tell them they are tired of having their pockets picked and demand that the sales tax increase and the myriad other taxes imposed during their reign be reversed.
OPEN SPACE, FARMLAND BOND
Voters have approved bond questions that have dedicated $4 billion for land preservation 11 consecutive times since 1961. Open space and how we use it is an essential element in efforts to improve the state's quality of life. Voters should support Public Question No. 3, which asks their permission to borrow $200 million to preserve open space, farmland and historic sites, to advance those efforts.
The new funding would be a stopgap measure to replenish the Garden State Preservation Trust, which was authorized by voters in 1998 and is running out of money. It would sustain the fund for only one year while longer-term funding is sought — something Gov. Corzine and the Democratic leadership in Trenton should make a priority.
If the question is approved, $109 million will be used to preserve open space and parkland, $73 million will go toward saving farmland, $12 million will fund anti-flooding initiatives and $6 million will be allocated to maintain historic sites. The bonds will be paid back over 30 years. According to the Office of Legislative Services, they will add $15.2 million a year to the state's debt.
The increased borrowing is at the heart of opposition to what is normally a slam-dunk ballot question. The criticism is unfounded. The proposal does not impose new taxes; the bonds will be paid with existing revenue. Half of the $109 million for open space will be used to match preservation efforts by municipalities and counties, stabilizing taxes. Preserving open lands will prevent overdevelopment.
The state needs to protect its drinking water, keep beaches and rivers clean, create new playgrounds and urban parks, rein in development and preserve farmland and historic sites. Approval of Public Question No. 3 will help the state achieve that end.
Saturday: Public Questions 2 and 4.
