by KYW's David Madden

A plan that would ask New Jersey voters if they wanted a tax put on their water bills to preserve open space is on hold in a senate committee in Trenton, NJ. 

If New Jersey state senator Bob Smith gets his way, in November voters will be asked:

"Whether or not they’re willing to approve a small water user fee, to the extent of 40 cents per thousand gallons, which generates $32 per year from the average homeowner."

The $150 million in annual proceeds would replace an open space fund that’ll run out of bond money in about a year.

The Senate Environmental Committee heard suggestions that historic projects should be included, prompting Smith to put his proposed constitutional amendment on hold till late May. But water companies and businesses are against the idea, they believe it’ll make them less competitive.