Christie Rails Against Referendum On Tax Use For Open Space Promotion

SEA BRIGHT, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie on Thursday railed against a constitutional amendment on the ballot in November that would earmark more money for open space preservation.

Christie said Thursday it was wrong for Democrats to use constitutional amendments to push through legislation that he would otherwise veto.

The governor said he would be voting no on the ballot question on whether to dedicate a portion of the state's business tax revenue to protecting open space, and urged others to do the same.

Christie also said it was irresponsible to earmark such a large amount of revenue.

He further objected to the constitution being altered for the purpose of allocating funds.

Over more than half a century, New Jersey voters have regularly supported using tax revenue to pay to preserve open space and farmland.

Under the current proposal, 6 percent of the state's corporate business tax revenues would eventually go toward preservation and other environmental programs.

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