Ballot Questions Summary

Public Question #1 dedicates annual revenue of an amount equal to a tax rate of 1% of the state sales tax (the amount of the state sales tax increase in July 2006) for property tax reform. ½ % already is dedicated, this proposal would dedicate and additional ½%.

Citizens vote Yes or No.

Yes: dedication of tax revenue prevents the funds from being used for any other purpose. A constitutional dedication resulting from this vote can only be changed by future votes. The dedication is a step toward providing relief to property taxpayers. Property taxes in New Jersey are high compared to other forms of tax.

No: the July 2006 sales tax increase was proposed to help balance the budget. Redirecting funds will force budget cuts or borrowing to cover general spending. Redirecting funds reduces the state’s flexibility to meet changing priorities.

Public Question #2 allows the state of New Jersey to borrow $450 million in general obligation bonds to fund stem cell research projects.

Citizens vote Yes or No.

Yes: New Jersey stem cell research is needed to respond to medically devastating diseases and injuries, and the investment helps New Jersey maintain a competitive position in the field. Grant distribution will be based on scientific merit judged by independent review, and the Treasurer must annually certify the availability of funds to cover the interest. Profits will be used to reduce the principal of the bonds.

No: With $33.7 billion in debt costing $3 billion annually in interest, this is not the time to add more debt. Finding ways to pay for individual projects without taking on debt and the accompanying interest would be more fiscally responsible. Public policy in New Jersey allows for embryonic stem cell research, which is opposed on moral grounds by some citizens. Such research should be conducted and funded by private firms if at all, not with taxpayer dollars.

Public Question #3 allows the state of New Jersey to borrow $200 million to buy Green Acres park space, preserve farmland, buy Blue Acres land for flood management, and fund matching grants for historic preservation projects.

Citizens vote Yes or No.

Yes: the purchases are needed to support quality of life, tourism, and the economy of the state. With the state projected to reach full development in the next 30 years, we must continue to preserve open space.

No: With $33.7 billion in debt costing $3 billion annually in interest, this is not the time to add more debt. Preserving more land will inflate housing costs, disproportionately burdening middle and modest income families.

Public Question #4 revises the state constitution in the section concerning the denial of voting rights, to change the phrase “idiot or insane person” to “person who has been adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction to lack the capacity to understand the act of voting”.

Citizens vote Yes or No.

Yes: replaces strong, needlessly stigmatizing language. The amendment allows for challenges to deny suffrage of persons cognitively and emotionally impaired to be resolved by a court of competent jurisdiction.

No: the proposed language is subjective, and will be interpreted differently by different judges. Any new language should give specific criteria to determine “capacity to understand the act of voting”.