1999 VOTERS GUIDE

NON-PARTISAN ELECTION INFORMATION

Vote Tuesday, November 2, 1999

Three State Questions on General Election Ballot

The League of Women Voters of New Jersey prepared the following guide to state ballot questions.

In 1999 New Jersey voters will be asked to vote on one bond measure and on two Constitutional amendments. To appear on the ballot, measures must be approved by both houses of the legislature. Constitutional amendments require a 3/5 vote. Bond issues require the governor's signature; constitutional amendments do not.

PUBLIC QUESTION NO. 1
STATEWIDE TRANSPORTATION AND LOCAL BRIDGE BOND ACT OF 1999

Shall the "Bridge Bond Act Of 1999" which authorizes the State to issue bonds in the amount of $500,000,000 for the purpose of rehabilitation and improving the State transportation system, including structurally deficient local bridges, and providing the ways and means to pay the interest on the debt and also to pay and discharge the principal thereof, be approved?

Approval of this act would authorize the sale of $500 million in State general obligation bonds to address the growing needs of the State's aging transportation infrastructure. Of the total authorized amount, $250 million would be reserved for grants to county and municipal governments for the rehabilitation and improvement of structurally deficient bridges carrying county or municipal roads. The remaining $250 million would be used for transportation projects throughout the state.

Background
If approved by the voters, this general obligation bond carries the full faith and credit of the state, with the interest and principal paid out of the general treasury. The last general obligation bond for transportation was passed in 1989 for bridge repairs and railroad right of way preservation. Since the establishment of the Transportation Trust Fund in 1984 this authority has been authorized by the legislature to borrow $5.3 billion for transportation projects with repayment provided by legislative appropriations. If approved $250 million of this general obligation bond is for county and municipal bridges and $250 million for a variety of transportation projects throughout the state. The state projects, which are expected to include some money for mass transit projects, will be included in the enabling legislation acted on by the legislature if the bond act passes.

Pro

• More than one third of New Jersey bridges are structurally deficient: repairing them is a safety issue.
  
• It is estimated that the $500 million dollar bond issue will result in more than 10,000 jobs.

Con

• The state's total debt has rapidly increased from $4 billion dollars in 1990 to currently more than $11 billion dollars.
  
• Borrowing money for projects (bonding) increases the final cost to the taxpayers. In good economic times, with increased tax revenues, this should not be necessary.

PUBLIC QUESTION NO. 2
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO INCREASE THE PROPERTY TAX DEDUCTION FOR VETERANS

Shall the amendment to Article VIII, Section I, paragraph 3 of the State Constitution agreed to by the Legislature, increasing from $50 to $250 over four years the annual deduction for veterans from real and personal property taxes, be approved?

Approval of this constitutional amendment would increase the property tax deduction for veterans from the current $50 to: $100 for calendar year 2000, $150 for calendar year 2001, $200 for calendar year 2002 and $250 for each year thereafter. The veterans property tax deduction provided for in the State Constitution has not been increased since 1963.

Background
The veterans property tax deduction has been in existence since 1951. It was established as a token of thanks. The last increase to $50 per year was in 1963. Inflation has decreased the value of this benefit. This amendment increases the property tax deduction by $50 per year until 2002 when it will reach $250 per year.

Pro

• Veterans who have served the United States in time of war and other national emergencies are entitled to a measure of gratitude for their efforts and sacrifices.

Con

• Giving tax relief to any group of individuals increases the burden on the remaining taxpayers.

PUBLIC QUESTION NO. 3
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO PROVIDE THAT THE STATE LOTTERY NET PROCEEDS WILL NOT BE USED TO FUND PRISON PROGRAMS

Shall the amendment to Article IV, Section VII, paragraph 2 of the Constitution agreed to by the Legislature, providing that State lottery net proceeds shall not be used to pay for the confinement, housing, supervision or treatment of, or educational programs for, adult criminal offenders or juveniles adjudged delinquent or for the construction, staffing, support, maintenance or operation of an adult or juvenile correctional facility or institution, be approved?

This constitutional amendment would provide that State lottery funds would not be used in any way to support prisons or prison programs. It specifically provides that lottery funds would not be used to pay for the confinement, housing, supervision or treatment of, or education programs for, adult criminal offenders or juveniles adjudged delinquent or for the construction, staffing, support, maintenance or operation of an adult or juvenile correctional facility or institution. Lottery funds could continue to be used to support other State institutions, such as State hospitals and State veterans homes, and for State aid to education.

Background
The lottery was established to support State institutions and for State aid for education. This amendment eliminates the use of lottery funds for correctional institutions and correctional programs, including education. The use of lottery proceeds for non-correctional institutions and for education would continue.

Pro

• Estimated net proceeds from the lottery are not adequate to fund the budget for all state institutions and for state aid to education. Funds budgeted for non-corrections uses exceed estimates of lottery proceeds and would be better spent on education and on non-correctional institutions.
  
• "The public" has the right to express themselves on the use of lottery proceeds.

Con

• Education is a major program for turning delinquent juveniles and adults in correctional institutions into productive citizens. Eliminating the use of lottery proceeds for funding education in prisons is counterproductive.
  
• The lottery was established to support State institutions and education. The exclusion of one class of institutions is contrary to its intent.

Return to 1999 Voters Guide Index.