N.J. voters support open-space bond

About six in 10 likely voters in New Jersey would support a $600 million state bond measure to support the preservation of open space, farmland, and historic sites, according to a new poll.

A diverse coalition of more than 100 groups that favor the ballot question, including the two that commissioned the poll, hailed the results, announced yesterday.

In the poll, 59 percent of the respondents said they would support a bond measure based on draft-ballot language, and 80 percent said they would like their state legislator to put the measure on the ballot. The poll, conducted last month by Fairbanks, Maslin, Maullin & Associates of California, has a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.

"These results demonstrate that a strong majority of voters would likely support a $600 million bond measure if placed on the ballot this November," said Tom Gilbert of the Trust for Public Land, which commissioned the poll with the Nature Conservancy. "They clearly view the cost as reasonable and a worthwhile investment, even in difficult economic times."

The $600 million is intended to fund the Garden State Preservation Trust over the next three years.

In 2007, a 54 percent majority approved a $200 million bond measure to fund the trust. All of that money has been allocated.

Kelly Mooj, coordinator of the coalition in favor of the bond issue, said the state trust matched private, municipal, and county investments in high-priority open-space projects.

"These projects help put clean drinking water in our glasses and clean air in our lungs, provide playgrounds and parks for all residents to enjoy, preserve New Jersey's farms and local sources of food, and put people to work restoring historic buildings that improve the character of our neighborhoods," Mooj said.

Gov. Corzine, who is seeking reelection in November, has said he supports a ballot measure for open-space preservation but has not committed to a dollar amount.

State lawmakers recently doubled the amount from $300 million. Supporters say that with prices relatively low, now is a particularly good time to invest in open space.

Some environmental groups object to another short-term funding mechanism for open-space preservation, arguing instead for a permanent, stable source.

Jeff Tittel, director of the state chapter of the Sierra Club, worries people will not support a $600 million bond issue despite the poll's findings.

"Whatever money is going to be spent on open space is going to come out of cuts from somewhere else," Tittel said. "People right now are worried about their jobs, their homes, and their kids' futures, and $600 million at this time, I think, will cause a lot of voter opposition."