TRENTON � A measure sponsored by Senator Loretta Weinberg which amends the “Local Government Ethics Law” by requiring local government officials to turn in financial disclosure forms within 30 days of taking office has been signed into law by Governor Corzine.
�Increased transparency in government is the key to gaining and maintaining public trust,� said Senator Weinberg, D-Bergen. �As elected officials, we have to be accountable to the people who put us in office, and that accountability needs to start immediately. Residents around the state work hard to earn an honest living, and they need to know their elected officials are doing the same. These taxpayers deserve nothing less from us.�
Senator Weinberg�s bill, S-103, would help increase transparency and accountability in government.
Previously, all local government officials had until April 30 to submit their disclosure forms. Certain municipalities hold their elections in May, meaning that the winners of these elections could avoid having to file the disclosure forms for nearly a year, said Senator Weinberg.
�This law will give a sense of uniformity and order to a previously flawed process,� said Senator Weinberg.
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