Senator Sean Kean (R-11) criticized Governor Corzine and Democrat leaders for proposing legislation that would take $9 million from the Shore Protection Fund.
“The Shore Protection fund was established to provide money for projects that keep coastal communities safe and make New Jersey a more attractive tourist destination, ” Kean stated. “The Democrats’ plan to siphon off $9 million to plug holes in Governor Corzine’s budget would deplete the fund, hurting critical projects, including beach replenishment.”
The bill was proposed last week and is part of a package of bills that are part of the upcoming state budget legislation. It has been posted for a vote in the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee today and, if passed, will go to the full Senate on Monday. The $32.86 billion spending plan must be passed by July 1st, according to the state Constitution.
“Restored beaches attract tourists in the summer, and serve as storm barriers protecting homes, ” continued Kean. “New Jersey Democrats will harm the state’s $38 billion tourism economy and leave thousands of families along the Shore at greater risk from storms.”
The Shore Protection fund available also allows New Jersey to receive tens of millions of dollars of matching funds from the federal government, Kean pointed out.
“This free, federal-matching money will be put at risk if the Shore Protection Fund is not able to provide New Jersey’s share of these projects, ” Kean concluded. “Too much is at stake to allow this misuse of Shore Protection funding.”
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August 1, 2008
