Green Jersey

Budget saves state’s parks, at expense of state’s beaches

A beach at Sandy Hook.

Gov. Corzine and others said yesterday that a general agreement was reached on the state budget. Details were to be released today.

This early “agreement in principle” sets up the possibility of a final agreement that comes before July 1, the constitution-mandated deadline and start of a new fiscal year. Final approval could come as early as Monday. A public hearing on the plan will be held tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. in the Statehouse Annex.

In the tentative $32.8 billion budget, state parks are saved — by a plan that would divert $9 million from a beach replenishment fund known as the Shore Protection Fund. Lawmakers have mixed opinions on the proposal. Yesterday, Sen. Joseph Kyrillos (R-Monmouth) criticized it. From the Philadelphia Inquirer:

Kyrillos, who was the original sponsor of the bill that created the Shore Protection Fund, said the fund is used for beach replenishment, sand restoration, dunes, beach protection and flood control, for example, and that much of the money brings in matching federal dollars.

“Redirecting these monies will increase the risk and severity of flooding; raising insurance rates for middle-class families and small-business owners along the Shore,” Kyrillos said.

The beach fund apparently contains $25 million at minimum, drawing that money from the state’s realty-transfer tax, according to the Press of Atlantic City. From the Press:

Sen. Jeff Van Drew, D-Cape May, Cumberland, Atlantic, said the fund has more than $40 million and was comfortable about taking the money for the parks. He said he would sponsor an amendment to ensure the money would be replaced.

Sen. Jim Whelan, D-Atlantic, said he was concerned, but “this is something that is going to be done on a one shot basis. We know the parks are a sticking point for some people.”

But Leonard Connors, former Republican state senator and 42-year-old Surf City mayor, said it was outrageous that the fund would be diverted, saying the government needed to cut spending. “It’s obvious that they’re trying to do too many things with the money that’s coming in from the state.”

And Assemblyman Vincent J. Polistina, R-Atlantic, said legislators needed to recognize how beach replenishment helps the state’s tourism industry.

Gov. Corzine has said this budget cuts spending by about $600 million — $100 million more than he’d proposed in February, and the largest spending cut in state history.

Michigan, meanwhile, is closing 20 state parks due to budget constraints.