Decoded: New Jersey Ballot Questions
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On Nov. 7, New Jersey residents will be asked to consider three ballot questions regarding additional funding for property-tax relief, parkland preservation, and road and mass-transit improvements. Note: None of the proposed measures will further increase existing taxes.
Question 1: Should half of the $1.2 billion earned from this year’s sales-tax increase (from 6 percent to 7 percent) be put toward property-tax reform?
Question 2: Four percent of the annual $2.8 billion collected in corporate income tax is constitutionally dedicated to funding environmental programs. Should a larger share of this fund go toward improving and preserving parkland for recreation and conservation purposes (i.e., $15 million per year till 2015 and $32 million per year thereafter)? More info, including a detailed FAQ, here. Hint: Vote yes.
Question 3: Should a bigger slice of New Jersey’s 14.5 cent per gallon gasoline tax be used to pay for road, bridge and mass-transit improvements (i.e., from 9 cents to 10.5 cents, which would raise an additional $78 million for transportation)?
