Why is the Yearly Budget Process Important to the Circuit Trails?

If you want to learn about a state’s priorities, take a look at its budget. Every year, after the New Jersey Governor presents the budget, there’s an opportunity to comment and request support for specific programs, projects, departments and more at public hearings held by the state’s Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee and the Assembly Budget Committee. These hearings often happen between March and April. After the hearings, there are continued discussions and negotiations on the budget until it is finalized for the next fiscal year, by July 1.

For the Coalition, it’s important to testify at these hearings to remind our elected officials that trails can deliver powerful benefits for public health, transportation, safety, local economies and recreation. And to realize these benefits, we urge our elected officials to prioritize walking and bicycling investments to make the state safer and more equitable for all its residents, especially when it comes to building out networks like the Circuit Trails.

Trail Budget Proposals

Thanks to the continued advocacy and support of people and partners around the state, funding for New Jersey’s trails, including the Circuit Trails, grew last year.

To build on last year’s funding, the Coalition is asking New Jersey state representatives to invest $18.2 million in 2023, specifically:

1. $16.5 million for the state’s walking and biking programs, to match its 2022 level. Last year these state programs received a historic funding increase–six times the amount in previous years’ budgets. Prior to 2022, these important programs only received up to $1 million in funding, which severely limited the number of projects undertaken across the state. These funding sources are crucial to getting us closer to our goal of 500 miles of Circuit Trails by 2025.
2. $1 million for increased capacity at the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) and New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) to create a more robust program dedicated to trails and active transportation. This increase would create more collaboration between state agencies and support local communities that need help building out the Circuit Trails.
3. $500,000 for a Statewide Comprehensive Trail Plan to connect the Circuit Trails to more trails across the state. A statewide network will raise the profile of multiuse trails throughout the state and connect the Circuit Trails to new locations like the Jersey shore!
4. $200,000 to make the state’s Trails & Greenways Summit a biennial event and build a culture around trails in the state. The 2021 summit, which was co-hosted by NJDOT and NJDEP, brought together more than 500 trail advocates, trail users, planners and experts working to advance trail networks across the state, improving collaboration and creating an opportunity to exchange best practices.

Representatives are making decisions on next year’s budget right now. Before they finalize these decisions, tell your state elected officials to prioritize trails in 2023 by signing the Coalition’s pre-written email that expresses how important trails are to you and the community.

Thank you for your continued advocacy and for helping us reach our goal of 500 miles of Circuit Trails by 2025!