NJ's Elections Transparency Act would bring major changes

By: Ashley Balcerzak
NorthJersey.com
USA Today Network - New Jersey

..... New Jersey's system governing money in politics and pay to play face massive changes under the Election Transparency Act that passed the full Senate on Monday. [03/20/2023]
..... There are a lot of complicated tweaks tucked into an already dizzying system overseeing how people and companies - including those with government contracts - can donate to politicians and parties.
..... The 68-page bill (A4372) faces an Assembly vote and requires the governor's signature before becoming law.

Here's what the legislation would do if it secures Governor Phil Murphy's approval:

* Eliminates local pay to play rules and replaces them with a weaker statewide directive that bans companies with contracts worth $17,500 or more from making donation of more than $300 to candidates and parties.

* Shortens the amount of time New Jersey's election watchdog, the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC), can investigate violations from 10 years to two years.

* Pay ELE commissioners, who are currently unpaid, with $30,000 salaries.

* Creates a 90-day period where the governor can appoint new ELEC commissioners without Senate approval, as currently required.

* Doubles the amount of money donors can give to candidates, parties and political committees.

* Requires super PACs, 501(c)(4) nonprofits and 501(c)(6) trade organization to report donations they receive worth more than $7,500, so-called "dark money" donations that are currently allowed to be kept secret.

* Allows state and county Democratic and Republican parties to cerate new "housekeeping accounts" to cover non-political expenses

* Removes limits on contractors donating to state, county and municipal political parties and legislative leadership committees.

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