New Jersey voters will decide whether damages from natural resources lawsuits should go only toward environmental cleanups when they go to the ballot to pick GOP Gov. Chris Christie's successor.
Voters will be asked whether they want to use all the money from natural resources damages to "repair, restore, replace or preserve" the state's natural resources.
Lawmakers and supporters of the legislation say the amendment creates a constitutional dedication for the funds that would prevent future governors and lawmakers from using damages for other purposes.
The issue gained traction after the Christie administration settled a lawsuit with ExxonMobil for $225 million after more than a decade of litigation involving petroleum plants in Bayonne and Linden as well as gas stations across the state.
