Recent CCNJ Victories
Pay-to-Play Reform
"Enabling Legislation" (S1987)
Signed on 1/4/06, this law (1) preserves the existing 60+ local Pay-to-Play reform laws, (2) authorizes the passage of future local pay-to-play reform laws at the municipal & county levels, (3) expands the authority of local government to limit contributions to professionals receiving contracts with school boards, fire districts & independent authorities, and (4) requires political contribution disclosure by certain public contractors.
Read more about this piece of legislation, and the fight for its year-long passage.
Local Pay-to-Play Reform
This Election Day (2005), Dover Township and Edison join over fifty other towns/counties throughout New Jersey to pass strong Pay-to-Play reform laws. One major difference lies between these two towns (as well as Hoboken and Lawrenceville) and the others ... the fact that the citizens voted for a the law through a binding referendum in their towns. The voter support was overwhelmingly in favor of Pay-to-Play reform in each of these four towns - ranging from 80 - 91% positive support!
State-Level Pay-to-Play Reform (A1500)
This law codifies Governor McGreevey's executive order. Passed on 3/22/05, this public contracting reform law restricted the trading of campaign contributions for lucrative professional contracts. Under this law, donors that contribute to county or state political parties and gubernatorial candidates are banned from receiving any contract worth $17,500 or more from the state or its authorities (i.e. the Economic Development Authority).
Election Reform
This series of election reform bills were signed into law at the beginning of July 2005, and provide more accessibility and efficacy to the New Jersey voting process.
(A33) Voter-verified Paper Trail
Minimizes the risk of votes being lost through computer malfunction or tampering by requiring that all voting machines in New Jersey produce voter-verified paper record by 2008.
(A35) Increased availability of Absentee Ballots
Voter turnout is likely to be increased through absentee ballots being permitted for any reason.
(A36) Election Training & Education
Increases voter education by requiring that the Attorney General and county boards of elections produce certain election training materials, and produce and display certain information pertinent to voters.
(A42) Voter Registration Time Increase
Voter turnout is likely to be increased by permitting voter registration up to 21 days before the election. Provisional ballot for voter registration are also available.
(S28) State-wide Voter Registration System
The New Jersey election system will be more efficient with this comprehensive state-wide voter registration system.
Government Ethics (S2335)
In order to decrease the "fox minding the henhouse" effect, the New Jersey Legislature passed this law (1/9/06) that would increase the number of public members on the Executive Commission on Ethical Standards to a majority over executive branch staff/representatives. It also changes the name of the Commission to the Special Commission on Ethics.
Public Advocate (A1424)
The Office of the Public Advocate was abolished by Governor Whitman in the early 1990's. Under Acting Governor Codey, the Public Advocate was reinstated in June '05. The existing departments that were formerly part of the PA will be brought back together under a united, efficient department, combining their existing $10 million budgets with an added $2 million. The Public Advocate will act as a voice for the citizens and consumers who have been taken advantage of by special interests.
State Commission of Investigation (A1514)
Passed on 3/28/05, this law makes a series of amendments to the State Commission of Investigation. It provides the Commission with greater independence by lengthening and staggering the term length of commissioners of the SCI, and widening the department's scope of authority.
450 Main Street, Suite 2
Metuchen, NJ 08840
(732) 548-9798 ext.6
nj@commoncause.org
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