by Tom Dallessio, New Jersey Director, RPA
The next chapter in New Jersey Smart Growth begins on Monday when the new Acting Governor takes office. Actually, it will be the same person who was "acting" for 2-1/2 days in 2002 before Governor Jim McGreevey took office, Senate President Richard Codey. For smart growth, will it be, like love, better the second time around?
First, let's close the current chapter by looking at the McGreevey legacy. In his inaugural address, Governor McGreevey said, "In the days ahead, each citizen of New Jersey should demand more of me. That is your right." With a vow to "change the way Trenton does business," he led major efforts to create a new regional planning effort in the Highlands, give teeth to the State Plan, and significantly increase investments in urban schools. It's not clear that he made any lasting changes in the way Trenton does business, and his personal actions robbed him of the ability to ensure his legacy by nurturing his positive policies and seeing them through.
Among the more controversial efforts was the BIG Map, which was intended to streamline development decisions and clarify where growth was to be encouraged as well as stopped. The BIG Map collapsed of its own weight, but the principles were espoused in another law that Governor McGreevey signed, the so-called Fast Track Permitting Bill. Even that was viewed as flawed, with the Governor signing an Executive Order last week delaying implementation and acknowledging the strongest criticisms made by RPA and others about public participation and due process.
Missed smart growth opportunities include the chance to enact a sustainable transportation finance system, real property tax reform, and a meeting of the minds with local officials to reinvent government in the 21st Century. Sure, there was that Blue Ribbon Transportation Commission, which uncovered the undeniable fact that the State's Transportation Trust Fund is approaching bankruptcy, but its recommendations were immediately dismissed by Governor McGreevey amid the ensuing anti-tax furor. And, there's the Task Force that's investigating a Constitutional Convention to reform the property tax system. Both advisory panels were appointed by the Governor to provide recommendations as well as cover. Are they now free to tell the citizens the whole truth? Will anyone listen, or are we still fixated on personal conflicts and sexual intrigue?
In a prepared statement, soon-to-be Acting Governor Codey said, "I hope Governor McGreevey finds peace in his new life and that the days ahead will be brighter ones for all of us." Richard Codey, a veteran legislator and Senate President, is by virtue of his experiences well qualified to take over the reins of New Jersey government. A Democrat from Essex County, Senator Codey has been a tireless advocate for the mentally ill, posing once as a deceased criminal who was hired by a State psychiatric hospital to expose weaknesses and reform the State's mental health system. His first stint as governor was barely enough time to find the Executive Water Closet; this time, however, he has at least a year - possibly more if he decides to run for a full term - to make the changes necessary to lead New Jersey into the 21st Century. RPA joins Mr. Codey in his assessment of brighter times ahead, congratulates him on his new opportunity, and provides the following advice for his term as Acting Governor.
Top 10 Smart Growth Initiatives As Acting Governor:
10. Continue to reach across the aisle, as you have done so well these last three decades as a legislator and Senate President, to achieve consensus. While you're at it, reach across the rivers, too, to New York and Pennsylvania, to make regional planning more effective.
9. Make Smart Growth a priority, by reactivating the Governor's Smart Growth Cabinet Council, and solidify your support for the State Plan, by increasing incentives to towns that follow the Plan's goals and policies.
8. Use the impending budget crisis to institute real reforms in State Government, including a principle to stop publicly subsidizing sprawl.
7. Avoid the politics of division, by encouraging builders and environmentalists, local officials and citizens to work together to achieve common solutions.
6. Acknowledge the crisis we face in ensuring housing for all incomes and needs, and prioritize efforts that will lead to immediate results.
5. Recommit to the effort to preserve a million acres in the Garden State by 2010.
4. Engage the Legislature in an effort to create a new, sustainable Transportation Trust Fund.
3. Protect the Highlands Council from undue political influence, and shepherd it through the turf wars that will inevitably occur when real reform is proposed.
2. Lead the effort for property tax reform, by ensuring that citizens can vote on a ballot initiative in 2005 to create a fair and effective property tax system.
1. Make every day as Governor the best day for Smart Growth, realizing that your legacy - be it one year, or four or more - will ensure that the days ahead will be brighter for all of us.
The next chapter in New Jersey Smart Growth begins on Monday when the new Acting Governor takes office. Actually, it will be the same person who was "acting" for 2-1/2 days in 2002 before Governor Jim McGreevey took office, Senate President Richard Codey. For smart growth, will it be, like love, better the second time around?
First, let's close the current chapter by looking at the McGreevey legacy. In his inaugural address, Governor McGreevey said, "In the days ahead, each citizen of New Jersey should demand more of me. That is your right." With a vow to "change the way Trenton does business," he led major efforts to create a new regional planning effort in the Highlands, give teeth to the State Plan, and significantly increase investments in urban schools. It's not clear that he made any lasting changes in the way Trenton does business, and his personal actions robbed him of the ability to ensure his legacy by nurturing his positive policies and seeing them through.
Among the more controversial efforts was the BIG Map, which was intended to streamline development decisions and clarify where growth was to be encouraged as well as stopped. The BIG Map collapsed of its own weight, but the principles were espoused in another law that Governor McGreevey signed, the so-called Fast Track Permitting Bill. Even that was viewed as flawed, with the Governor signing an Executive Order last week delaying implementation and acknowledging the strongest criticisms made by RPA and others about public participation and due process.
Missed smart growth opportunities include the chance to enact a sustainable transportation finance system, real property tax reform, and a meeting of the minds with local officials to reinvent government in the 21st Century. Sure, there was that Blue Ribbon Transportation Commission, which uncovered the undeniable fact that the State's Transportation Trust Fund is approaching bankruptcy, but its recommendations were immediately dismissed by Governor McGreevey amid the ensuing anti-tax furor. And, there's the Task Force that's investigating a Constitutional Convention to reform the property tax system. Both advisory panels were appointed by the Governor to provide recommendations as well as cover. Are they now free to tell the citizens the whole truth? Will anyone listen, or are we still fixated on personal conflicts and sexual intrigue?
In a prepared statement, soon-to-be Acting Governor Codey said, "I hope Governor McGreevey finds peace in his new life and that the days ahead will be brighter ones for all of us." Richard Codey, a veteran legislator and Senate President, is by virtue of his experiences well qualified to take over the reins of New Jersey government. A Democrat from Essex County, Senator Codey has been a tireless advocate for the mentally ill, posing once as a deceased criminal who was hired by a State psychiatric hospital to expose weaknesses and reform the State's mental health system. His first stint as governor was barely enough time to find the Executive Water Closet; this time, however, he has at least a year - possibly more if he decides to run for a full term - to make the changes necessary to lead New Jersey into the 21st Century. RPA joins Mr. Codey in his assessment of brighter times ahead, congratulates him on his new opportunity, and provides the following advice for his term as Acting Governor.
Top 10 Smart Growth Initiatives As Acting Governor:
10. Continue to reach across the aisle, as you have done so well these last three decades as a legislator and Senate President, to achieve consensus. While you're at it, reach across the rivers, too, to New York and Pennsylvania, to make regional planning more effective.
9. Make Smart Growth a priority, by reactivating the Governor's Smart Growth Cabinet Council, and solidify your support for the State Plan, by increasing incentives to towns that follow the Plan's goals and policies.
8. Use the impending budget crisis to institute real reforms in State Government, including a principle to stop publicly subsidizing sprawl.
7. Avoid the politics of division, by encouraging builders and environmentalists, local officials and citizens to work together to achieve common solutions.
6. Acknowledge the crisis we face in ensuring housing for all incomes and needs, and prioritize efforts that will lead to immediate results.
5. Recommit to the effort to preserve a million acres in the Garden State by 2010.
4. Engage the Legislature in an effort to create a new, sustainable Transportation Trust Fund.
3. Protect the Highlands Council from undue political influence, and shepherd it through the turf wars that will inevitably occur when real reform is proposed.
2. Lead the effort for property tax reform, by ensuring that citizens can vote on a ballot initiative in 2005 to create a fair and effective property tax system.
1. Make every day as Governor the best day for Smart Growth, realizing that your legacy - be it one year, or four or more - will ensure that the days ahead will be brighter for all of us.
@RegionalPlan