New Jersey League of Conservation Voters Executive Director Ed Potosnak released the following statement in response to the passage of a bill concerning Liberty State Park that was passed out of the Senate Environment and Energy Committee today:

The amendment adopted by the Senate Environment and Energy Committee today is an important first step in ensuring that investments in Liberty State Park benefit the residents of Jersey City — and not powerful corporate interests driven by profit. Our state parks are not revenue-generating theme parks, and they should not follow that same business model.

While we agree that Liberty State Park needs investments, any state spending must benefit Jersey City residents and must bring community leaders to the table.

Liberty State Park must not be turned into a playground for wealthy out of towners. It is essential that we preserve critically important ecological resources, particularly Coven Point, while also delivering recreational opportunities that have been long-desired by Jersey City residents.

Today’s hearing represents one step in that process, but more needs to be done. We look forward to working with the sponsor, chairman, legislative leaders and Governor Murphy on a bill that we can all be proud of — one that puts the needs of Jersey City first.