Endorsement: Diegnan, Karabinchak are Strong Environmental Stewards for NJ’s 18th District
Press Release •
The New Jersey League of Conservation Voters (New Jersey LCV) is pleased to announce its endorsement of New Jersey Sen. Patrick J. Diegnan Jr. and Assemblyman Robert Karabinchak to represent the 18th legislative district.
NJ League of Conservation Voters: Diegnan, Karabinchak are Strong Environmental Stewards for NJ’s 18th District
Press Release •
TRENTON, NJ — The New Jersey League of Conservation Voters (New Jersey LCV) is pleased to announce its endorsement of New Jersey Sen. Patrick J. Diegnan Jr. and Assemblyman Robert Karabinchak to represent the 18th legislative district.
STATE POISED TO ISSUE FIRST DROUGHT WARNING IN MORE THAN A DECADE
News Article • • by Tom Johnson at NJ Spotlight
For the first time in 15 years, the state is expected to issue a full-blown drought warning.
The state Department of Environmental Protection is holding a public hearing today on drought conditions, a necessary prelude to declaring a drought warning for at least 12 northern and central counties where scant rainfall has emptied reservoirs.
With much of the state experiencing severely low precipitation levels and some of New Jersey’s biggest reservoirs falling below 50 percent storage levels, it is all but certain a drought warning will be issued.
Essential Preservation Programs Remain Unfunded as Governor Denies Voters’ Will and Conditionally Vetoes Open Space Legislation
Press Release •
Governor Christie conditionally vetoed S969/A780, the Preserve New Jersey Act, which would have provided the authorization and guidance to begin funding state, county, local and non-profit open space, farmland, and historic preservation programs consistent with the constitutional amendment passed in 2014 with 65 percent of voters’ support. After the Governor pocket vetoed implementation language at the end of last session, both houses of the Legislature prioritized this bill, and passed it again this year with strong bipartisan support.
ESSENTIAL PRESERVATION PROGRAMS REMAIN UNFUNDED AS GOVERNOR DENIES VOTERS’ WILL AND CONDITIONALLY VETOES OPEN SPACE LEGISLATION
Press Release •
TRENTON, NJ—Governor Christie conditionally vetoed S969/A780, the Preserve New Jersey Act, which would have provided the authorization and guidance to begin funding state, county, local and non-profit open space, farmland, and historic preservation programs consistent with the constitutional amendment passed in 2014 with 65 percent of voters’ support. After the Governor pocket vetoed implementation language at the end of last session, both houses of the Legislature prioritized this bill, and passed it again this year with strong bipartisan support.
CHRISTIE POISED TO DIVERT ANOTHER $20 MILLION FROM OPEN-SPACE FUNDING
News Article • • by Tom Johnson at NJ Spotlight
The Christie administration’s diversion of $20 million from an open-space fund to pay salaries at state parks was condemned yesterday at a legislative hearing in what is emerging as an acrimonious side battle over next year’s budget.
In a hearing before the Senate Environment and Energy Committee, open-space advocates argued such diversions were never contemplated by voters in the fall of 2014 when they easily approved a new constitutional amendment setting aside corporate business taxes to fund acquisition of undeveloped land and farmland preservation.
Gottheimer: Garrett’s Career Opposition To Clean Water Hangs Families Out To Dry
Press Release •
Josh Gottheimer, candidate for Congress in the 5th District, today called out Tea Party incumbent Scott Garrett for a career of fierce opposition to critical safeguards that have left New Jersey children and families vulnerable to dangerous and unhealthy chemicals in our drinking water.
"Scott Garrett has built a career out of dismantling common sense water protections for our children and families," said Gottheimer. "He has consistently fought against investments to fix and improve safe water infrastructure. Time and again, he has voted against the Clean Water Act. Clean water shouldn't be a partisan issue, but Garrett has routinely put his extreme Tea Party ideology ahead of the health and safety of our children and families."
‘STORMWATER UTILITIES’ CAN HELP CLEAN UP THE PROBLEM OF POLLUTED RUNOFF
News Article • • by Tom Johnson at NJ Spotlight
It is a multibillion dollar problem and a major reason why most of New Jersey’s water fails to comply with federal clean water standards.
But with a price tag projected to run at least $8 billion, how to deal with stormwater runoff has largely defied solution in New Jersey. Rectifying the situation means fixing the combined sewer-overflow systems where runoff from storms mixes with untreated sewage to foul rivers, streams, and bays.
In a bid to deal with the longstanding problem, legislators are using a tactic already in place in approximately 1,500 jurisdictions around the country. They are moving on a bill (S-762) to allow dozens of urban areas to create stormwater utilities to help manage the runoff flowing into waterways.
Senate Budget and Appropriations Approves Bill Allocating Voter Designated Open Space, Farmland, and Historic Preservation Funding
Press Release •
The New Jersey Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee approved, with bipartisan support, a bill to appropriate the voter approved funds for open space, farmland, and historic preservation and stewardship. New Jersey Keep It Green (NJ KIG), the state’s largest coalition of conservation and historic preservation organizations, applauds the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee for voting to approve S969.
Senate Budget and Appropriations Approves Bill Allocating Voter Designated Open Space, Farmland, and Historic Preservation Funding
Press Release •
TRENTON, N.J. – The New Jersey Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee approved, with bipartisan support, a bill to appropriate the voter approved funds for open space, farmland, and historic preservation and stewardship. New Jersey Keep It Green (NJ KIG), the state’s largest coalition of conservation and historic preservation organizations, applauds the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee for voting to approve S969. This bill ensures that corporate business tax (CBT) revenues constitutionally dedicated to preservation and stewardship of New Jersey’s land, water and historic resources are used as intended by the voters. NJ Keep It Green urges members of the Assembly Budget Committee, and the full Legislature to vote on the bill swiftly. S969/A780 is sponsored by Senators Smith and Bateman, and Assembly members Andrzejczak, McKeon, Spencer, Pintor Marin, Dancer, Vainieri Huttle, and Land.