S2438

TRENTON – “The 2007 New Jersey Fair and Clean Elections Pilot Project Act,” sponsored in the Senate by Senator Shirley K. Turner, was signed into law today in a ceremony in the Governor’s Office.

“Clean elections will strengthen our democracy by limiting the power of special interest money and will expand opportunities for women and minorities by breaking down the barriers created by the high cost of running for public offices,” said Senator Turner, D-Mercer. “It will make campaigns about issues and voters and not about fundraisers and donors.”

TRENTON – “The 2007 New Jersey Fair and Clean Elections Pilot Project Act,” sponsored in the Senate by Senator Shirley K. Turner, was approved today in the Senate, and is pending final legislative approval in the Assembly later today.

“Clean elections are not Republican or Democratic issues, but rather issues for everyone who cares about the honesty and transparency of our democracy,” said Senator Turner, D-Mercer. “The Fair and Clean Elections Pilot Project will reduce the influence of special interest money and is a critical part of any reform effort moving forward.”

TRENTON – Senate President Pro Tempore Shirley K. Turner, D-Mercer, Senate sponsor of A-100/S-2438, “The Fair and Clean Elections Pilot Project,” made the following statement today after the bill did not gather 21 votes to pass the house:

“We can not delay on this critical reform effort any longer. The Democrats provided 17 votes today. I can’t believe that not one single Republican was willing for vote for clean elections. I call on my Republican colleagues to join me to pass this legislation.

TRENTON – The Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee today moved the “The 2007 New Jersey Fair and Clean Elections Pilot Project Act” out of committee by a party-line vote. Senator Shirley K. Turner is the sponsor of the Senate version of the bill proposed by Assembly Speaker Joe Roberts.

“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,” said Senator Turner, D-Mercer. “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.”

TRENTON – The Senate State Government Committee today approved “The 2007 New Jersey Fair and Clean Elections Pilot Project Act” sponsored by Senator Shirley K. Turner.

“As the Legislature has attempted to hash out the issue of property tax reform, we are learning why this is an issue of paramount concern to the citizens of New Jersey,” said Senator Turner. “New Jersey residents need property tax reform, yet their own representatives cannot agree on any one idea because there are too many interests involved in the decision making.”