Garden State Patriot

Please be sure to vote ‘NO’ on Ballot Question #1! Say ’NO’ to higher debt and higher taxes!

Check here for my posts on this subject.

Steve Lonegan took a little trip to North Bergen to show us where our Green Acres funding has been spent. The video says it all.

And so does this one from Hoboken:

For more, go to StopHigherTaxes.com.

Cross-posted at Red County and Conservatives with Attitude!

Fellow blogger Alice Shope – Alice’s Restaurant Blog – has a very detailed post on the open space ballot question. If you want to understand more about it, then I highly recommend reading her post.

Also, check out this internet ad on the open space initiative released by StopHigherTaxes.com.

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.

Cross-posted at Red County and Conservatives with Attitude!

Public Question #1 – VOTERS TO APPROVE STATE AUTHORITY BONDS PAYABLE FROM STATE APPROPRIATIONS

Steve Lonegan, State Director of Americans for Prosperity, explains:

Ballot Question One is misleading and dangerous for property taxpayers. Many of us hoped this referendum would put an end to the runaway borrowing that has plagued the state. While this question appears, on its surface, to stop unconstitutional borrowing, the legislation gives additional power to the legislature to place even more responsibility on every property taxpayer. It is a fraud. Here’s why:

The devil is in the fine print of Senate Concurrent Resolution #39 which will replace our current constitution if State Ballot Question #1 is approved.

First, voter approval will NOT be needed if a proposed project has “an independent non-State source of revenue” or “a source of revenue otherwise required to be appropriated pursuant to another provision of this Constitution”.

Any Enron accountant or Abbott lawyer can drive a truck through those loopholes.

But here is the real kicker: “No voter approval shall be required . . . authorizing the creation of . . . debts . . . for the refinancing of all or a portion of any outstanding debts or liabilities of . . . an autonomous public corporate entity.”

Our Supreme Court ruled that New Jersey voters don’t have to pay a dime on any of the $29 billion previously borrowed by shell entities like the EDA-unless they vote to do it. But with a “Yes” vote on Ballot Question #1, Governor Corzine and the State Legislature could pass a simple law to refinance every dollar of the $37 billion borrowed by state authorities WITHOUT voter approval! Then, every “unenforceable” contract to pay $3 billion a year will become enforceable for the first time-WITHOUT voter approval-for the next 30 years.

Once the full faith and credit of New Jersey is pledged, all state sales tax money is earmarked to pay that debt before it is spent on anything else. And if that money is not enough, the State is legally obligated to adopt a new statewide property tax to pay the difference.

Don’t be fooled. Vote No on State Ballot Question #1.