Assemblywoman Alison Littell McHose

McHOSE URGES SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION TO PREVENT FOREIGN OWNERSHIP/OPERATION
OF STATE ASSETS
DEM BILL TO SELL/LEASE NJ TURNPIKE, PARKWAY PROVIDES
NO SAFEGUARDS AGAINST FOREIGN INTERESTS

Assemblywoman Alison Littell McHose today urged her colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support legislation she recently introduced that would prohibit the sale or lease of certain New Jersey transportation structures to foreign entities.McHose said the bill, A-3686, is vital to the security of the state and nation following an announcement today by a Democrat state Senator who is going to introduce legislation Monday authorizing the State to enter into a public-private partnership agreement with a private firm to operate and maintain the state's transportation projects, including the New Jersey Turnpike, the Garden State Parkway and the PNC Bank Arts Center.

That legislation, sponsored by state Senator Raymond Lesniak, D-Union, does not address the issue of foreign ownership of the state's transportation infrastructure. As a result, it is very possible the state’s highways may be sold or leased to foreign interests.

"Because of our proximity to New York, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., we are constantly reminded of the threats posed to our nation and our state by foreign countries that harbor and aid terrorists," said McHose,
R-Sussex, Morris and Hunterdon. "Let's use some common sense here. Let's move forward employing the lessons we have learned from the Dubai port incident."

McHose sponsored several pieces of legislation last year prohibiting the sale or lease of seaports in New Jersey, New York and Delaware to foreign corporations or governments when it was revealed the federal government was going to allow a subsidiary of the United Arab Emirates to operate key U.S. ports.

It has been reported that Governor Jon Corzine and members of the Democrat-controlled Legislature support selling or leasing the New Jersey Turnpike, Parkway and Arts Center to reduce state debt.

"Senator Lesniak's legislation leaves too much to chance," said McHose. "It leaves the door wide open for Trenton Democrats to wheel and deal and sell or lease our state's roads and other projects to questionable foreign interests. But as far as I'm concerned, our state and nation's security is not for sale or lease. Not now, not ever."

McHose’s legislation, A-3686, would prohibit the state or any official acting on behalf of the state from entering into a contract or private agreement for the sale, lease or operation of the state highway system with a foreign entity. It also would prohibit the New Jersey Turnpike Authority and the South Jersey Transportation Authority from selling or leasing the New Jersey Turnpike, Garden State Parkway and Atlantic City Parkway, including management of tolls or other revenue, to a foreign country or corporation.

While McHose said voters should have the power to vote on the sale of state assets, she noted that she opposes such sales as they are a temporary, band-aid approach to solving New Jersey's fiscal woes.

"The Democrat's fiscal policy for the past five years has been to tax, borrow and spend. As a result, our state has been financially decimated," said McHose. "But instead of admitting their mistakes and changing course, they continue to look for gimmicks, quick one-shot infusions of cash to remedy a chronic problem."

McHose’s bill is currently awaiting a hearing in the Assembly Transportation and Public Works Committee. "I strongly encourage my fellow legislators to support this bill as it is in the best interests of our residents, our state and our nation," she said.

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For more information, contact:
Assemblywoman Alison Littell McHose/973-726-0954
Assembly Republican Office/609-292-5339