MCKEON WELCOMES GOV. CORZINE'S SUPPORT OF 'OPEN SPACE' BALLOT QUESTION MEASURE  ASSEMBLY ENVIRONMENT CHAIR SAYS BOND ISSUE OF $400 MILLION HELPS STATE GO FORWARD TO GIVE VOTERS CHOICE ON FUNDING  (TRENTON) - Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee chairman John F. McKeon today welcomed Governor Jon S. Corzine's support of his open space ballot question measure that would empower voters in November to decide on the funding of open space.In an NJN news report last night, Gov. Corzine said he supported the amended measure scaled down from a $600 to $400 million bond issue.  "If it's scaled back a little bit, I believe that the public ought to have a right to make its judgment during the fall elections," Corzine told NJN news.Bloomberg today reported that Gov. Corzine believes there is a need to protect open space throughout New Jersey."I am gratified by the support of our Governor of the voter's right to decide on the funding of open space," McKeon (D-Essex) said. "It is yet another demonstration of his profile of courage when it comes to doing what's right by the people of New Jersey." McKeon's measure (A-3901) to empower voters to replenish the Garden State Preservation Trust (GSPT) that funds open space was released with amendments yesterday by the Assembly Budget Committee in a 12-0 vote with one abstention. The amendments include a lower amount of $400 million for the bond issue. The GSPT runs out of money in July.McKeon's measure also won support from New Jersey's Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher who lauded its advancing in the Senate and Assembly panels yesterday."It mirrors what residents of New Jersey have been saying consistently - that they want the opportunity to decide on the funding of open space. It is essential that the voters be given that choice," Fisher said. "Farmers who have been waiting anxiously to be able to continue to make applications to sell the development rights for their land are relieved to know that this measure is not in jeopardy." Fisher also addressed the misconception that there is enough money to fund open space in the Garden State Preservation Trust for the next two to three years. "There is enough money to continue to keep the office intact and process applications received until now. There is not enough money to accept new applications for parcels of land moving into 2010. Without farmers knowing that there are enough funds to purchase development rights for their land, it could be lost to sprawl." The amended bond issue would put the annual cost of funding open space at $10 per average household. McKeon's open space ballot question measure has the bi-partisan support of 37 sponsors. It now heads for a full floor vote in the Assembly on Thursday. ### Contact: Gita Bajaj(973) 224-4851 cellular