Bergen County Executive Kathleen A. Donovan holds line on Freeholder Pay-to-Play Ordinance
May 11,2013
Hackensack NJ, As she stated she would, Bergen County Executive Kathleen A. Donovan has vetoed Freeholder Ordinance 13-06 voted upon by the Freeholder Board on May 1, 2013, which is an ill-conceived attempt to weaken what has been described as one of the strongest ordinances banning pay-to-play in the State of New Jersey.
The pretext given by the freeholders for passing this ordinance, that the prior ordinance they enacted approximately a year ago is somehow unconstitutional, fails to pass the “smell test.” As the County Executive promised during her campaign, she will continue to use her power to block a return to the corrupt practice of pay-to-play that was all too rampant under the prior Democratic Machine.
In her veto letter, Donovan states, “It is my belief that candidates for office need to have the freedom to raise funds consistent with their First Amendment right to deliver their message to the voters. And, unfortunately, as anyone who runs for office knows, we cannot depend on so-called “free media” provided by newspapers and others. But there is also a need for candidates to be transparent so that voters know exactly who is paying for the distribution of those messages.”
Donovan emphasized her position that there should be one statewide law covering pay-to-play disclosure to limit the influence of both vendors and political leaders whose power lies in the political purse. “We in Bergen County, are all too aware of the impact of late, undisclosed money “wheeled” in from all over the state and probably elsewhere, to unfairly tip the balance in an election,” stated Donovan.
Donovan cited numerous reasons for the veto including language that does not sufficiently prevent “wheeling”, a practice that needs to be stopped. Also cited as unacceptable is the increase in contribution limits as well as weakening the penalties to those entities found in violation of the ordinance.
“We need to guarantee transparency, thereby instilling a level of confidence in voters,” said Donovan. County Executive Donovan’s veto was delivered to the Clerk to the Freeholder Board on Thursday, May 9, 2013.
