Senator Weinberg Applauds Signing Of Local Pay-To-Play Ban

TRENTON – Senator Barbara, D-Middlesex, co-sponsor of Senate Bill 1987, which would allow municipalities to enact pay-to-play ordinances that are stricter than state law, made the following statement today following the passage of the bill by the Senate:

“As co-sponsor of S-1987, I am pleased that the Senate passed this critical piece of legislation in the fight to end pay-to-play in New Jersey.

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senators Jim Whelan and Jeff Van Drew which allows casino employees to run for local office was signed into law by Governor Corzine over the weekend.

“Particularly in these tough economic times, we need to be open to including all voices within government, and giving everyone a chance to serve,” said Senator Whelan, D-Atlantic, and Chairman of the Senate Wagering, Tourism and Historic Preservation Committee. “In the past, we’ve prohibited casino employees from serving on Atlantic City’s governing body for fear that casinos may exert undue influence on local government. However, with so many local residents working in casinos, and with the City depending so heavily on the economic success of the industry, I think it’s more than time that we remove the prohibitions and allow casino employees to serve their community.”

TRENTON – Senator Joseph Vitale, D-Middlesex, sponsor of Senate Bill 1987, which would allow municipalities to enact pay-to-play ordinances that are stricter than state law, made the following statement today following the passage of the bill by the Senate:

“When the Senate last year passed S-2, the legislation which curbed the practice of pay-to-play in New Jersey, it was done with the promise that we would pass a subsequent bill to allow municipalities to pass local ordinances that limited the practice either further.

TRENTON – Senator Loretta Weinberg, D-Bergen, released the following statement today, regarding the Senate’s passage of S-1987:

“I am very pleased that my first vote as a Senator was one to help enable meaningful ‘Pay to Play’ legislation at every level of government. As a co-prime sponsor of the Assembly’s version of the bill, I made a commitment to help ensure that public contracts are awarded to deserving and qualified businesses, not just those with an inside financial track. I have seen this legislation come full circle; from its first committee meeting to its final Legislative vote today. I am, and will always be, proud to have sponsored legislation committed to ending the preemption of local government awarded contracts by dishonest, self-serving politicians.”

TRENTON – Senator Shirley K. Turner, co-sponsor of the bill to authorize local governments to enact strong ordinances banning pay-to-play practices in their communities, said it will clean up the corrupting influence of money in political campaigns throughout New Jersey.

The bill, S-1987, passed in the Senate by a 34-0 vote and now goes to the Governor.