Dear Highlands Mayor:

Yesterday, both the Senate Environment Committee and the Assembly Appropriations Committee released the “Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act”, S-1 and A-2635 respectively.

Both bills are at “2nd reading” and are now scheduled for votes for this Thursday, June 10, 2004.

In both committees yesterday, amendments were moved in response to the League’s concerns regarding the “voluntary TDR receiving zones” and the subsequent impact on State Plan endorsement for municipalities in the planning area (see our letter of May 26). The amendments improve the original provision, which would have resulted in a bureaucratic exercise and a potential back-door to unsustainable growth for “planning area” municipalities.

We recognize that there are strong feelings amongst municipal officials both in support and opposition to the Highlands legislation. For that reason, we are providing a temporary link with contact information for the full State Legislature. This allows you the opportunity to contact any and all legislators on this very important issue.

As always, we will keep you advised of all developments.