Vote “NO” On Ballot Question #1
Americans for Prosperity has posted some invaluable information pertaining to the Open Space ballot question. I would urge you to read the following and vote ’NO’ on this initiative.
The “Green Acres” program, touted by politicians as a way to preserve the natural environment in New Jersey means nothing more than higher taxes and more debt for New Jersey residents. Ballot Question #1 proposes an additional $400 million for this program—we must Stop Higher Taxes and Stop the Debt — by voting NO on Question One on this November’s ballot.
Here is why Ballot Question #1 is a disaster for New Jersey:
The state’s debt has exploded from $4 billion to $46 billion in only fifteen years. We face a budget deficit next year of almost $10 billion—we cannot afford anymore debt!
New Jersey’s statewide system of preserved open space now amounts to over 1.4 million acres – that’s more than a quarter of all the land in the state! And now, in the midst of the worst economic climate since the Great Depression, this is not the time to spend more money and go deeper into debt.
With the highest property taxes in the nation, Garden State homeowners already put 7 percent of their paychecks toward property taxes. By purchasing more open space, Trenton will diminish the property tax base, and you will pay the difference in higher taxes!
Where will the $400 million go?
$20 million will go to pay off lawyers, bond counsels, consultants and other political hacks. Open space programs have been riddled with corruption.
Millions more will be used to purchase decrepit buildings in urban centers. What’s that have to do with “open space.”
The state cannot even maintain the parks we already have — the same parks that Governor Corzine who supports this boondoggle — threatened to close last year.
Worst of all, Trenton will be adding to the fiscal ball and chain that follows every child and taxpayer who lives in New Jersey. What the bureaucrats spend today the children of tomorrow will pay.
Stop Higher Taxes and Stop the Debt — by voting NO on Question One on this November’s ballot.
In addition, AFP’s Steve Lonegan will be holding a teleconference on the open space initiative next Thursday, as well as appearing on NJN for a debate which will air this weekend.
I am scheduling a special teleconference for important individuals like yourself to help provide up-to-date information and ask questions. Please join me on Thursday, October 15 at 8:00 PM. Call in to 1-877-229-8493 enter pin code 13103.
This weekend I am appearing on NJN’s “On the Record” with Michael Aron. I will be opposite the bill’s prime sponsor Assemblyman John McKeon. The program airs Sunday October 11th at 9:00am and 11:00am and again Monday at 6:30am.
Thomas Sowell’s 2008 book on the Housing Crisis gives great detail about how “Open Space” laws in Left Wing havens like California and the Northeast created the problem of “affordable housing” in the first place. Here is a link to one of his columns that summarizes the point:
http://www.capmag.com/article.asp?ID=5467
From the article:
“Like most wonderful-sounding political slogans, none of these lofty goals was discussed in terms of that one four-letter word that people do not use in polite political society– “cost.”
No one asked how many hundreds of thousands of dollars would be added to the cost of an average home by “open space” laws, for example. Yet empirical studies have shown that land-use restrictions added at least a hundred thousand dollars to the average home price in dozens of places around the country.
In some places, such as coastal California, these restrictions added several hundred thousand dollars to the price of the average home.
In other words, where the problem was real, local politicians were the cause. National politicians then tried to depict this as a national problem that they would solve.”
I highly recommend Sowell’s book on the subject.
October 9th, 2009 at 1:34 pm