TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - Gov. Chris Christie signed a bill into law that opponents say could lead to development at Liberty State Park. But the Republican governor and Democratic lawmakers are already planning new legislation aimed at addressing those concerns. Here's a look at what happened Thursday and where things stand with Liberty State Park. <\/p>\n
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WHAT DID CHRISTIE DO? <\/p>\n
Christie signed legislation that consolidates the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority and the Meadowlands Commission into a new board called the Meadowlands Regional Commission. The commission will have the power to approve and implement development at Liberty State Park, which is now under the state Department of Environmental Protection's authority. The legislation also changes a 40-year-old, tax-sharing structure in which some Meadowlands towns contribute to other towns and instead imposes a 3 percent usage tax on hotels in 14 northern New Jersey communities. <\/p>\n
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WHY ARE OPPONENTS ANGRY? <\/p>\n
Opponents include the New Jersey Sierra Club, the Friends of Liberty State Park and other advocates for the park. They say the commission's mandate allows development while the Department of Environmental Protection focused on preservation. Taken to the extreme, they say, an amusement park or a commercial building could be built on the property. They say the legislation amounts to privatization of the park. <\/p>\n
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WHAT'S NEXT? <\/p>\n
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Christie signs Liberty State Park bill into law; many object<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - Gov. Continue reading