Christie Adds $10M To New Jersey Lead Clean-Up Efforts
TRENTON, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Gov. Chris Christie is adding $10 million to New Jersey's efforts this year to remove lead-based paint from homes around the state.
Christie's announcement Tuesday comes as lawmakers have been pushing Christie to put that amount of money into a dormant lead control fund.
"We're working hard and making sure that lead poisoning, while it's a concern, never becomes an epidemic in New Jersey," Christie said.
Lawmakers have tried to get Christie to fund the Lead Hazard Control Assistance Fund, which began in 2004 and was funded by a tax on paint cans. It provided financial assistance to property owners to safely remove lead paint.
Christie says the state hasn't been able to track paint can sales.
The state already budgets $7 million a year for lead abatement and uses $5 million in federal funding to address properties damaged by Superstorm Sandy.
Christie thanked lawmakers for advocating for the issue and he also cautioned lawmakers on efforts to require lead testing in all schools.
There have been many concerns lately about lead in drinking water. Last month, elevated levels of lead caused officials in the Newark public school district to shut off water fountains at 30 school buildings until more tests could be conducted.
But Christie said, "The primary lead concern in New Jersey has been and remains the outdated lead-based paint in our old housing stocks, not water sources."
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