Oroho: Will Introduce Bill to Ban Public Funding from Xanadu Aquarium Project

September 25, 2008

Contact: Bill Murray / 609-292-5199
Senator Steve Oroho (R-24)

Senator Steve Oroho, a member of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee, promised today to introduce a bill that would bar the new aquarium project, at the Xanadu complex in the Meadowlands, from using any public funds. The Senator offered an amendment that would have banned the use of public money on the floor of the Senate during the final vote on the project. The amendment was defeated by the Senate Democrats in a party-line vote 21-16.

“The text of my amendment was clear and unambiguous,” Oroho stated. “The legislation could have barred the use of public money when this bill passed both houses, it could have also been conditionally vetoed by Governor Corzine. I now challenge my colleagues in the majority to be as concerned with the use of public funds for this private project and work on a bipartisan basis to pass this taxpayer protection bill.”

The text of the amendment reads: With regard to an aquarium project located within the meadowlands complex, the authority is authorized to enter into such agreements as it determines are necessary for the construction of the aquarium, including agreements providing for the acquisition of any land that may be necessary, for the ownership and for payment of costs of the aquarium, and for the operation thereof 1, provided, however, that no funds from any other public entity, including, but not limited to, the State of New Jersey, shall be used for the financing of the construction, ownership, or operation of such aquarium.1

“I was heartened by my colleague Senator Lesniak’s comments in the Bergen Record,” Oroho continued. “I fully intend to reintroduce this language as a bill at the next Senate quorum on October 4th.”

Link to Post:

http://www.senatenj.com/index.php/oroho/oroho-will-introduce-bill-to-ban-public-funding-from-xanadu-aquarium-project/1176