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<\/a>Facebook photo.<\/p>\nBy John Heinis\/Hudson County View<\/p>\n
\u201cAccording to the Department of Community Affairs, Jersey City is the only municipality that has both an annual levy for open space, recreation, and historic preservation and an arts and culture trust fund,\u201d Sherrill said in a veto statement<\/a> released this afternoon.<\/p>\n \u201cIn 2016, Jersey City voters approved a referendum to establish a Municipal Open Space, Recreation and Historic Preservation Trust Fund to be funded at a rate not to exceed $0.02 per $100 of assessed valuation of each annual tax levy. The referendum\u2019s language stated that the funds raised from the levy would be used exclusively for the acquisition, development, and maintenance of lands for recreation, conservation, and historic purposes.\u201d<\/p>\n While the City Council approved establishing an Arts and Culture Trust Fund in 2016, voters did not approve the referendum until November 2020.<\/p>\n Bill S-4513<\/a>, sponsored by state Senators Angela McKnight (D-31) and Raj Mukherji (D-32), with the companion bill in the Assembly sponsored by Jerry Walker, Will Sampson, and Gabriel Rodriguez, was approved easily in both chambers on June 30th of this year.<\/p>\n That was the same time the state legislature approved a $120 million relief package for Jersey City: $105 million loan that requires increased state oversight<\/a> and a $15 million grant.<\/p>\n The state legislation cleared the Senate by a tally of 25-14, with one senator not voting, and then the Assembly by a 49-21 vote, with 10 assembly members not voting.<\/p>\n \u201cThis bill authorizes that certain moneys reserved for a municipality\u2019s \u2018Municipal Open Space, Recreation, Floodplain Protection, and Farmland and Historic Preservation Trust Fund,\u2019 may be deposited into the municipality\u2019s current fund, for uses as determined necessary by the municipality,\u201d the bill statement says.<\/p>\n \u201cThe authority established by the bill is to only apply if the \u00a0municipality has established an arts and culture trust fund.\u201d<\/p>\n Further, this legislation would have been limited to the tax level for fiscal year 2027.<\/p>\n According to the governor\u2019s veto statement, this bill would go completely against the referendum Jersey City voters approved.<\/p>\n \u201cThe plain language of the ballot question that was submitted to Jersey City\u2019s voters clearly dedicated to recreation, conservation, and historic purposes the revenues that this bill \u201cThe voters assented to an additional tax levy on the condition that the funds raised from the levy be used exclusively for the purposes set forth in the referendum. The will of the City\u2019s voters should not be set aside in the manner proposed in the bill.\u201d<\/p>\n Another bill seeking to aid Jersey City\u2019s municipal woes, S-4514<\/a> \u2013 sponsored by McKnight, Mukherji, Sampson, and Walker \u2013 sought to \u201cimpose a mass transit access parking tax of three and one-half percent on fees for the parking, garaging, or storing of motor vehicles at public parking garages, lots, or facilities only.\u201d<\/p>\n This legislation, which would\u2019ve also implemented a five percent rental car tax, would\u2019ve only applied to New Jersey municipalities with a population of 200,000 or greater, which would\u2019ve only made Newark and Jersey City eligible.<\/p>\n Sherrill vetoed that as well, taking a swipe a former Mayor Steven Fulop, a political rival from last year\u2019s Democratic primary for governor.<\/p>\n \u201cThe residents of Jersey City are currently suffering from a fiscal crisis caused largely by the irresponsible decisions made by the City\u2019s prior administration. The prior administration\u2019s over-reliance on short-term budget gimmicks and \u2018one-shots\u2019 have seriously undermined the City\u2019s long-term stability,\u201d she wrote in that veto statement<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cGoing forward, sustainable revenue growth and structural reforms must be a priority. The proposed legislation is not appropriate at this time.\u201d<\/p>\n Jersey City spokeswoman Megan Malloy said while City Hall is \u201cdisappointed,\u201d they will continue to work with state lawmakers to find financial relief for their residents.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re disappointed that these bills were vetoed since they would have provided relief for Jersey City at a time when we need every penny. We\u2019re grateful to our state delegation for fighting to get these bills through both houses and for standing up for Jersey City every step of the way,\u201d she said late Monday afternoon.<\/p>\n \u201cWe will continue working with the Governor and state legislature at the state level, and our office is committed to using every tool possible to make sure Jersey City is on the right fiscal pathway while providing relief for our citizens.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Editor\u2019s note: This story was updated with Jersey City spokeswoman Megan Malloy.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
now seeks to divert to the City\u2019s general fund,\u201d Sherrill wrote.<\/p>\n