(TRENTON) – Legislation sponsored by Assembly Members Verlina Reynolds-Jackson, Nicholas Chiaravalloti and Bob Andrzejczak appropriating funds to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to provide funding for capital projects and park development on lands administered by the DEP’s Division of Parks and Forestry and Division of Fish and Wildlife cleared the Assembly Thursday by a vote of 75-0-0.
“We owe it to our taxpayers to make New Jersey as enjoyable to live in as possible,” said Reynolds-Jackson (D-Mercer/Hunderton). “And that doesn’t just mean economically, but also in a way that allows our residents to enjoy our beautiful nature to the fullest.”
The funding in the bill (A-4211) would come from constitutionally dedicated corporation business tax (CBT) revenues approved by a state ballot initiative in November 2014.
The total sum of the appropriations would amount to $9.703 million, including $1.075 million from the unexpended balances in the Diesel Risk Mitigation Fund.
“Not only will this bill fund park development to make New Jersey the most family-friendly state in the Union, but it will also fund vital capital projects which will help rebuild sites on public land,” said Chiaravalloti (D-Hudson). “This will help bring families and communities together.”
“New Jersey has so much natural beauty to offer,” said Andrzejczak (D-Cape May/Atlantic/Cumberland). “It is important that we allow our residents to enjoy New Jersey’s beauty to the fullest extent.”
The projects and appropriations listed in the bill have been approved by the DEP and the Garden State Preservation Trust.
The bill initially cleared the Assembly Budget Committee on June 18 and now heads to the Senate awaiting further action.