Senator Calls for Constitutional Amendment to Put Shore Monies Beyond Governor’s Reach
Senator Sean T. Kean (R-Monmouth) called on legislative Democrats to abandon their support for Governor Corzine’s proposed raid on the Shore Protection Fund, which provides a stable source of funding for beach replenishment projects.
After taking $9 million from the fund in the current budget, media reports indicate that the Governor has again proposed diverting another $6.25 million diversion from the fund next year. Kean called on Trenton Democrats to instead embrace his proposal to amend the State Constitution to prevent such diversions.
“When I opposed the raid on the Shore Protection Fund last year, I was told by the Democrats that diversion was a ‘one-year deal,’” said Kean. “I guess people from Monmouth to Cape May are finding out what the Democrats’ promises are worth. We must therefore approve my proposed constitutional amendment to protect the monies in the Shore Protection Fund. The Governor’s second raid on the fund in as many years proves why this legislation is so desperately needed,” said Kean.
“The Governor and the Trenton Democrats have decided that they want to hit the Jersey Shore like a fiscal hurricane,” said Kean. “They seem intent on crippling the lynchpin of a tourism industry that generates more that $38 billion in economic activity and provides jobs to over 400,000 people in this state.”
The Shore Protection Fund was created after the 1991 “Perfect Storm” Nor’easter caused massive damage along the coast from New Jersey to Maine.
“Depleting our shore protection fund is short-sighted environmentally and economically,” said Kean. “Flooding from coastal storms contaminates fresh water supplies and results in the release of additional pollutants into the ocean. A vigorous shore protection program is our first line of defense against such a catastrophe.”
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June 19, 2009
