News: Campaign finance bill is back

Thursday, December 15, 2022

Campaign finance bill is back

Dec 15, 2022

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It's back. Over the summer, legislative Democrats introduced and attempted to quickly pass a bill to dramatically overhaul New Jersey's campaign finance laws. Ultimately, it stalled, but Senate President Nick Scutari vowed to bring it up again in the fall. He didn't, but Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin brought it up this winter.

On Monday, The Assembly Appropriations Committee approved the "Elections Transparency Act," but one part of it that would significantly increase transparency — requiring campaigns to report big contributions within 96 hours — was excised. It does still include a provision to require "dark money" groups to disclose major donors.

The bill does a lot, including doubling maximum campaign contributions for non-gubernatorial candidates and then allowing them to increase annually based on a formula. Given that contribution limits haven't increased in almost 20 years, that shouldn't prove uncontroversial.

What should raise eyebrows is that the bill basically guts New Jersey's pay-to-play laws that bar contractors from giving to certain candidates and committees. That includes doing away with all local pay-to-play laws that exceed the state laws, which have a giant "fair and open process" loophole that takes the teeth out of them.

To be clear, the state's weird patchwork of local laws has led to the emergence of PACs and super PACs designed to get around them. But it seems rather than trying to come up with something comprehensive, state lawmakers are just going to ditch them. Hat tip for Nikita Biryukov for noticing this bill in committee Monday.

DAYS SINCE MURPHY REFUSED TO SAY WHETHER HIS WIFE'S NON-PROFIT SHOULD DISCLOSE DONORS: 312

TIPS? FEEDBACK? HATE MAIL? Email me at mfriedman@politico.com

WHERE'S MURPHY? — Nothing public

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "I'm all for smart economic growth, but when a proposed 2.1 million-square-foot warehouse with a marijuana grow house runs through residential neighborhoods and backs up to a daycare, there's a problem." — Assemblymember Beth Sawyer (R-Gloucester) on her bill to have county planning boards examine proposed warehouse developments.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY – Joe Lagana, Megan Cryan, Michael Giglio, Mallie Salerno

A message from PhRMA:

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WHAT TRENTON MADE

JUSTICE IS VISUALLY IMPAIRED — "A job offer was rescinded, he says, when Commission for the Blind learned he was visually impaired," by NJ Advance Media's Ted Sherman: "Declan Ryan, who is legally blind, thought he had the job nailed. The 32-year-old man, who once had dreams of becoming a New York City firefighter before his vision problems worsened, had worked as a building management supervisor in Manhattan for the past 12 years before seeking a similar role earlier this year with the New Jersey Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Soon, he said, he was told the position was his. But his joy was short lived. Days after getting an offer, Ryan claimed it was abruptly rescinded when the commission … learned he was visually impaired. Now Ryan is in court, alleging that the commission, which sits within the Department of Human Services, was guilty of disability discrimination and retaliation … Hernandez said the commission had 'made it very clear that it was his visual impairment" that led to its rescinding of the job offer.'"

RELEASE THE MCRACKEN — "Review of how Murphy handled COVID pandemic will cost NJ taxpayers over $400 an hour," by The Record's Scott Fallon: "The independent review launched last month by Gov. Phil Murphy into how well his administration handled the COVID-19 pandemic will cost taxpayers more than $400 an hour, according to a contract obtained by NorthJersey.com. That rate is only for lawyers at Montgomery McCracken Walker & Rhoads, the New York-based firm that Murphy announced last month would conduct the review in collaboration with a second firm, Boston Consulting. It is not known how much the administration will pay Boston Consulting because a contract was "not yet available," according to a records custodian … The last big independent review by a New Jersey governor racked up millions of dollars in lawyer fees … Led by attorney Randy Mastro, the law firm Gibson, Dunn and Crutcher billed the state more than $8.2 million and produced a report so heavily criticized due to conflicts of interest and lack of detail that a federal judge called it a prime example of 'opacity and gamesmanship.' The billing rate for attorneys in the probe was $350 an hour."

CUNNINGHAM — "As missed votes pile up, 31st District constituents left in dark over Cunningham's absence from state Senate," The Jersey Journal's Mark Koosau: "The sustained absence of state Sen. Sandra Cunningham from Trenton has raised questions, but the answers, like much surrounding the 72-year-old these days, remains a mystery to her constituents. And her colleagues on both the local and state level are remaining mum, declining to comment on the reason for Cunningham's absence or her reported health issues. Cunningham who has represented the 31st District — Bayonne, Kearny and the southern part of Jersey City — for 15 years, has not been in the state's upper chamber for voting since Sept. 29, according to state legislative voting records. Her lack of appearances comes amidst uncertainly over her health and a conspicuous lack of an official update or explanation to the people she was elected to represent. A press conference regarding Cunningham and concerns about the legal process of appointing a guardian scheduled for Wednesday by close friend former Gov. Jim McGreevey was canceled Tuesday. McGreevey citedsignificant constructive developments' regarding the senator."

—"Cunningham likely to return home after extended hospital stay"

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6.4 MASTROS —"Commission building new Hudson River rail tunnels has a $58M budget. What does it buy?" by NJ Advance Media's Larry Higgs: "The price tag to start up a new agency to oversee construction of two new rail tunnels under the Hudson and rehab the existing 112–year old tunnels has, in its first year of existence, $58 million for operations and capital projects. What does that buy? That budget was approved during a quick 12-minute meeting of the Gateway Development Commission (GDC), although board members were briefed on it earlier by staff."

—"NJ Transit board approves new policy to ban passengers who disrupt, assault employees"

—Lalevee: "It's important to fully understand what the turnpike toll increase means"

—"No toll hikes for these 4 major Delaware River bridges for 12th year"

—"Trade group says reports reveal an 'unfair and unbalanced' court system in N.J"

—"Amid COVID-19 rise, worries grow over booster rated"

—"Bankers Association hires top Ciattarelli aide, signaling possible increase in political activity after court ruling"

BIDEN TIME

SALT REINSTATEMENT LICKED? — "With GOP set to run House, could Congress restore big tax break for NJ homeowners?" by The Record's Daniel J. Munoz: "Republican control of the U.S. House of Representatives could change a lot in Washington next year, but one thing is likely to stay the same: There's little chance of restoring the state and local tax deduction that New Jerseyans lost four years ago. Analysts estimate that the provision could save taxpayers, mostly those in higher-income brackets, $67 billion a year. But proponents may now have little choice but to wait until 2026, when the cap on deductions is due to expire. The GOP may owe its slim new majority in the House to victories by northeastern Republicans like Tom Kean Jr., who won a hotly contested race in Central Jersey this fall. But there's 'no chance' the party can come together with Democrats to undo the $10,000 cap, said Alex Brill, a senior fellow with the American Enterprise Institute, a conservative think tank in Washington."

DREADLOCK DEADLOCK — "Cory Booker tried to pass bill banning discrimination due to hair styles. Rand Paul just blocked it," by NJ Advance Media's Jonathan D. Salant: "Efforts to pass legislation making it a federal crime to discriminate on the basis of hair styles or texture — introduced after a New Jersey high school student was told he could not wrestle with locs — failed in the U.S. Senate Wednesday. U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, the measure's chief Senate sponsor, had sought unanimous approval to clear the House-passed bill and send it to President Joe Biden for his signature. But U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., blocked it. The bill, the Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair, or CROWN, Act. would block discrimination against hair styles associated with race or national origin, including tightly coiled or tightly-curled, locs, cornrows, twists, braids, Bantu knots and Afros."

—"Biden 2024 campaign would be 'best thing' for GOP, Chris Christie says"

A message from PhRMA:

LOCAL

SPILLER THE BEANS — "NJ subpoenas Montclair for councilors' personnel and pay records," by Montclair Local's Craig Wolff: "The New Jersey Attorney General's Office has issued a subpoena to Montclair Township, seeking a sweeping array of pay records, time sheets and attendance logs for all the Township Council members. The subpoena does not state a reason for demanding the records. But it comes two months after the township's chief financial officer brought a lawsuit that included her concerns that elected township officials were receiving state health insurance benefits unlawfully. The subpoena, served on Friday, Dec. 9, at the Municipal Building on Claremont Avenue, follows the whistleblowing lawsuit filed in October by the chief financial officer, Padmaja Rao, against both the township and its manager, Timothy Stafford … It is requesting the complete personnel files for all seven members of the council – Mayor Sean Spiller, Deputy Mayor Bill Hurlock, Councilor-at-Large Bob Russo, Councilor-at-Large Peter Yacobellis, Second Ward Councilor Robin Schlager, Third Ward Councilor Lori Price Abrams and Fourth Ward Councilor David Cummings."

REEFER MADISONNESS — "The great local cannabis caper," by InsiderNJ's Fred Snowflack : "Pot is legal all over New Jersey, but it's still no match for NIMBY-ism. Yep, it was a strong Not In My Backyard sentiment that encouraged the borough council to deny an application of 1st Choice Health and Wellness to open a medical marijuana dispensary in an old bank building on Main Street. The vote came at the end of a four hour plus meeting that began Monday night and ran until early Tuesday morning. This debate didn't occur in a vacuum. Many towns are refusing to allow pot dispensaries. While the council was not convinced the dispensary would be financially sound, it also heard opponents express fear that the new business would usher in violent crime and put children at risk. 'Make no mistake, they're building a monster on Main Street,' said one opponent in a comment that was as exaggerated as it was frequent. There was a strangeness to this 'Reefer Madness' approach to the debate."

THE HUDSON LIGHT RAIL — "NJ Transit awarded $590K grant to study development along possible light rail extension into Bergen," by The Jersey Journal's Ron Zeitlinger: "NJ Transit has been awarded a nearly $600,000 federal grant to study transit-oriented development along a long-proposed 9-mile extension of the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail into Bergen County. There has been little movement on funding for the 'Northern branch' of the light rail, first proposed in the early 2000s, but a study that shows a positive economic impact on the area between North Bergen and Englewood might convince state and federal officials to loosen the purse strings."

24 HOUR GRAND OLD PARTY PEOPLE — "Manchester mayor ousted in huge victory for George Gilmore," by New Jersey Globe's Joey Fox and David Wildstein: "In a big win for Ocean County GOP Chairman George Gilmore, Robert Arace has ousted incumbent Robert Hudak to become the next mayor of Manchester in a race that pitted two Republicans against each other in what was technically a non-partisan election. Arace leads Hudak by 362 votes, 5,205 to 4,843 (51.8% to 48.2%.) Arace's running mates, Joseph Hankins and Roxanne Conniff, defeated Council President Joan Brush and her running mate, Timothy Poss … The runoff – a rematch of a November 2021 special election that Hudak won 57%-43% – was something of a proxy battle between two factions of the Ocean County Republican organization"

—"Trenton's North and South Ward run-off election winners announced"

—"Moving Perth Amboy Forward' Council candidates lead in Tuesday's runoff election"

I HEAR THERE ARE JOB OPENINGS AT 101.5 — "Former Plainfield teacher facing sexual misconduct charges won't get job back," by MyCentralJersey's Mike Deak: "The New Jersey Department of Education has ruled in favor of the Plainfield Public School District in firing a music teacher facing criminal charges he inappropriately touched two of his elementary school students. Donnie Harrell, 57, of Bridgewater, had appealed his termination from the school district in January 2019, arguing that his tenure rights had been violated. But Administrative Law Judge Susana Guerrero ruled earlier this fall that Harrell had never received tenure in Plainfield and the state Department of Education agreed."

WAYNE'S WORLD — "The fast-developing Benson v. Hughes war in Mercer," by InsiderNJ's Max Pizarro: "The formal announcement today demonstrating considerable political support for Dan Benson's Mercer County Executive candidacy, prompted a response from Assemblyman Wayne DeAngelo (D-14). DeAngelo told InsiderNJ that he continues to support the reelection of veteran Mercer County Executive Brian Hughes … As late as [Wednesday[ morning, Democrats prayed for the intervention of the Murphy Administration to give something to Hughes to make the developing war disappear. For his part, DeAngelo said he wants the backing of the organization, and as always, will seek it, but he also said he intends to support Hughes, even if they don't end up on the same line."

FOOD AC — "Vigil calls for action on Atlantic City supermarket," by The Press of Atlantic City's Bill Barlow: "In a corner of a block-wide parking lot on Baltic Avenue, a small group of residents, officials and religious leaders called for action in getting a supermarket for Atlantic City. It's been more than a year since some of the most powerful people in New Jersey gathered on the far side of the lot to break ground on the ShopRite project. On a sunny December afternoon, there was no sign that anything has happened to advance things since then. "I think I can speak for all of the 3rd Ward. They're anticipating a supermarket in this city," said Sylvester Showell, president of the Third Ward Civic Association. For him, grocery shopping typically involves a long bus ride out of town. Showell, who uses a wheelchair, says he cannot carry all of his bags at one time, making it a challenge to get fresh food."

—"Benson unveils major list of endorsements for Mercer County executive"

—"N.J. Latino group slams 'outrageous' discrimination in [Millville's municipal court"

—"Hackensack teacher alleges retaliation amid flurry of complaints and cross-suits"

—"West Milford blocking smoke shop from getting a marijuana retail license, lawsuit claims"

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EVERYTHING ELSE

—"'We didn't all just disappear,' says American Indian who wants heritage taught in N.J. schools"

— Cape Regional plans to merge with Cooper University Health Care,

—"This NJ medical firm encouraged staff to speak up. Then a safety advocate raised alarms"

—"National Guard airman dies snowboarding at American Dream mall's Big Snow slope"

—"Ceremony to unveil newly restored Lucy the Elephant set for Dec. 28"

—"Cross River Bank caught in PPP lending report crosshairs"

—"Melrose Place actress Amy Locane loses federal appeal of DWI sentence, will remain in prison"

A message from PhRMA:

PBMs decide what medicines are covered, what medicines aren't and what you pay. That leaves you fighting for the medicines your doctor prescribed, instead of fighting your illness. Meanwhile, insurance companies and PBMs collect medicine rebates and discounts from drug manufacturers and don't pass them along to you. Those savings belong to New Jersey patients, not insurers' PBMs. PBMs are putting their profits before your medicine. Learn more.