Senator Christopher "Kip" Bateman (R-16) criticized a Democrat proposal for a new water tax that would be imposed on all New Jersey residents, allegedly only to pay for purchasing land that will be kept undeveloped:

"We should not be overtaxing something as basic and vital as water," Bateman said. "Higher water taxes should be imposed only when necessary to ensure a safe and abundant water supply.

Supports Protecting Open Space, but New Taxes Are Not the Answer

Senator Andy Ciesla (R-10) criticized a proposal for a new water tax to pay for land that will be preserved as open space:

"We must protect the limited open space we have in New Jersey, " Ciesla stated. "However, new taxes on residents who are already overtaxed are unnecessary and harmful. We can easily shift money from poorly performing and overfunded programs to pay for open space needs. That some lawmakers are advocating adding a tax to water demonstrates the lack of discipline and creative thinking that has made New Jersey so unaffordable for middle-class families."

SMITH - WATER TAX NECESSARY TO GUARANTEE OPEN SPACE PRESERVATION FUNDS

TRENTON – Senator Bob Smith, D-Middlesex, the Chair of the Senate Environment Committee and a sponsor of legislation to constitutionally dedicate water tax revenues to fund open space and farmland preservation, issued the following statement regarding the Committee’s hearing on his measure today:

“Today’s hearing was the first step in ensuring permanent funding for vital open space and farmland preservation projects in the State of New Jersey. We heard important testimony regarding historic preservation which we will consider and hopefully vote on the bill on May 19.