Date: 30 Jan 2003 
NJ SEES SPRAWL AS TOP ISSUE PoliticsNJ.Com

More than 60% of New Jersey voters back Gov. James McGreevey statements that over-development threatens the quality of life in this state, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today. By a 58%-38% margin, voters support the concept of a state income tax hike on the wealthy. "Gov. McGreevey and New Jersey voters may not see eye to eye on many issues, but they agree overwhelmingly that development is the biggest threat to the quality of life in the Garden State. Over-development fears are strongest on the Shore and in other areas the state already has identified as most threatened, while urban dwellers are not as concerned," said Clay F. Richards, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.

Sprawl Is Top Threat, New Jersey Voters Say 2-1, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Most Voters Back Higher Taxes For Wealthy (quinnipiac.edu/x4274.xml, 1/30/03) By a 62 - 34 percent margin, New Jersey voters agree with Gov. James McGreevey that "over-development is the greatest threat to the quality of life in New Jersey," according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today. Results are consistent among all Republicans, Democrats, independent voters and men and women, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University poll finds. Anti-sprawl feeling ranges from 52 percent among urban voters to 68 percent among voters who live along the Shore. Looking at other sprawl-related issues: - 76 percent say over-development is a major reason for traffic congestion; - 63 percent say sprawl is a major reason for crowded schools; - 43 percent say sprawl is a major reason for drinking water shortages; - 46 percent say sprawl is a major reason for high property taxes; - 41 percent say sprawl is a major reason for ugly landscapes. "Gov. McGreevey and New Jersey voters may not see eye to eye on many issues, but they agree overwhelmingly that development is the biggest threat to the quality of life in the Garden State. Over-development fears are strongest on the Shore and in other areas the state already has identified as most threatened, while urban dwellers are not as concerned," said Clay F. Richards, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. "Voters in those threatened areas strongly agree that a one-year moratorium on new development is needed in their community," Richards added. * * * NJ Environmental Federation 1 Lower Ferry Rd. Trenton NJ 08628 Tel: 609-530-1515 Fax: 609-530-1508 Email: dpringle@cleanwater.org Web: http://www.cleanwateraction.org