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Prieto & Sarlo Welcome New Law Bringing Tax Relief & Economic Reform to Meadowlands Region; Say New Bill Will Clarify Protections for Liberty State Park

(TRENTON) – Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto (D-Hudson/Bergen) and Sen. Paul Sarlo (D-Bergen) released the following joint statement Thursday on their new law (A-3969/S-2647) consolidating the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission into the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, reestablishing the Hackensack Meadowlands Transportation Planning District and adjusting the property tax sharing program in the New Jersey Meadowlands region.
Prieto and Sarlo also noted they will introduce new legislation to address concerns about the future of Liberty State Park and clarify protections for it.

“This new law will position the Meadowlands region for greater success. It will make it easier to attract jobs and economic development to the region, while providing long-needed property tax relief and predictability to residents.
“This is common sense reform that takes into account the modern needs of these communities in Bergen and Hudson counties, including tax relief, transportation improvements and economic growth, all while providing savings. We are addressing some of the region’s toughest problems in a fiscally responsible way.
“This was the right thing to do for these communities in the Meadowlands region.
“We also understand the concerns about the future of Liberty State Park. Liberty State Park and what it means to our heritage holds a special place, and – as has always been the case – we stand ready to protect the park. To that end, we will be introducing legislation to clarify that the Meadowlands Regional Commission may only review plans for Liberty State Park at the request of the Department of Environmental Protection, and that nothing in state law shall be construed to transfer ownership of any Liberty State Park property to the commission or anyone else.
“In the end, we will have brought tax relief and more efficient government to the Meadowlands region, while ensuring safeguards for any plan to further preserve and improve Liberty State Park.”