Posted on 03/16/2007 4:59:48 AM PDT by Calpernia
Taking special interest money of politics has proven to be very tough even on a very limited basis in a pilot program that may or may not ever be expanded. On Monday, the 2007 Clean Election Pilot Program bill failed in a State Senate voting session. Yesterday it was posted again and was also up for consideration in the General Assembly. It finally passed both Houses but not without some closed-door arm-twisting and cajoling.
"If we really want to see reform down here in the State House," says State Senator Shirley Turner, the bill's sponsor, "we've got to get the special interest money out of politics…..they're the ones who call the shots when it comes to legislation here in the State House, it's not the voters' interests that are being considered."
Was it easy to convince members of her own party to support the measure? Turner answers, "Nope, it's very hard to see any kind of reform in government. There are people here who are committed to doing things the way they're always been done." What did Turner have to do privately to muster the votes? She says, "I spent my time explaining once again in caucus, it's a voluntary program, it's only three districts and anybody who does not choose to participate does not have to participate".
In 2005 New Jersey ran a Clean Elections pilot program designed to take the influence of big money out of politics. The program was not successful by any standard other than it gave lawmakers insight into how difficult it was to implement. Undeterred, legislators are working to give the idea another try in the upcoming election.
Under the new re-tooled bill, candidates for the State Legislature in three selected districts would be eligible for public campaign financing by collecting $10 donations from voters. Candidates collecting 800 donations would receive at least $100,000 for their campaign. The bill outlines the process by which candidates in the selected districts (3 to be determined) can be certified as "clean elections" candidates. Each candidate is allowed to raise up to $10,000 in seed money, with all donations coming from individuals in amounts of $500 or less. Candidates would then be required to collect only donations of $10. Upon collecting 400 donations, candidates would receive $50,000 for campaign expenditures. Collecting 800 donations would earn them the full $100,000 in clean elections funds.
"As the Legislature has spent more than six months on property tax reform, we have begun to see the critical importance of campaign finance reform for the citizens of New Jersey," says Turner, "far too many special interests watered down the reform efforts. The Fair and Clean Elections Pilot Project will reduce the influence of special interest money and help the voters have the loudest voice in Trenton." She adds, "This so-called (property tax) reform effort that the legislature has undertaken, it was just far too many special interests that watered down the reform effort."
The bill would require certified candidates for the Assembly who are members of the same political party and in the same legislative district to seek certification and election together. Senate and Assembly candidates of the same party in the same district may independently choose whether to seek certification as a clean elections candidate. Such candidates may seek election together and coordinate their campaigns with the condition that if either the Assembly candidates or the Senate candidate does not become certified, that candidate is not permitted to coordinate his or her campaign with the certified candidate.
In 2005, candidates in the 6th and 13th legislative districts took part in the "clean elections" pilot program. In essence they were publicly financed campaigns but, in order to qualify for the public funds candidates had to receive 1,000, $5 contributions and 500, $30 contributions. They couldn't accept cash and because not many people carry a checkbook around with them that proved tough to do. The New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission ultimately voted to allow campaign contributions with debit or credit cards via the internet.
Turner says, "Even though the 2005 Clean Elections pilot was not a rousing success, we can't let those results deter us from further attempts at public financing. We will keep working on this until we get it right. We can not let our pursuit of perfection derail this effort."
The bill would also appropriate $7.675 million from the General Fund to fund the program. ELEC would receive $600,000 to effectuate its public information efforts, $75,000 for the voter's guide requirements, $250,000 to fund the expenses incurred by the commission as a result of administering this act and $6,750,000 to provide campaign funds.
ping
snicker snort. Pilot program? Guess they'll see how it works for the election of the next men's room attendant at Drumthwacket!
Corzine passed property tax reform bill yesterday too.
Didn't include any reduction in property taxes.
Going to allow the citizens to vote on whether they want to join other towns to reduce costs.
Anyone who believes the cost of living is going to go down in NJ is smoking somethng illegal.
A *voluntary* pilot program.
::shakes head::
They don't give a damn about the public and never will.
I'd tell you what I really think, but I don't want to be accused of inciting violence against the state government.
bumping your thoughts
...typical liberal bait and switch....we're going to "allow"...then when it all falls apart because of spend and tax....they can say, we tried, but the voters wanted it
SERENITY NOW!!!!!!!!!
Imagine what will happen to property taxes if they force the schools districts to join. ALL the salaries will rise to the highest level in the district.
That ought to save lots of money. /s/
you got that right....but remember...it's the voters fault!
>>>Even running for office is lucrative. People can keep unspent campaign money given to them by supporters or by the FEC in matching funds.
???!!!!!????!!!!
I wondered about that!
Ok, question, when a politician steps down from running and gives his support to another candidate, what does that mean? Does he transfer his campaign donations to that candidate?
One more question, if you don't mind.
At what point can a candidate apply for party contributions for running for office? Before the primaries? Or after the primaries?
In New Jersey, the people don't fight corruption so much as simply try to get their own piece of the action.
The place is, politically, a hopeless toilet.
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