Ethics Reforms Must Be Enacted Now
Senator Leonard Lance, R-23, the Senate Republican Leader today sent a letter to Governor Jon Corzine urging him to call a special session of the Legislature to institute real and comprehensive ethical reforms immediately. A copy of the letter is attached.
“Given the current circumstances, a special session on ethics would clearly be in the public interest,” Lance said. “In the face of recent developments I hope the Governor recognizes the need for changing New Jersey’s political climate through comprehensive reforms regarding dual office holding, wheeling and pay-to-play.”
Article IV, Section 1, Paragraph 4 of the New Jersey Constitution states: Special Sessions of the Legislature shall be called by the Governor upon petition of a majority of all of all the members of each house, and may be called by the Governor whenever in his opinion the public interest shall require.
Lance noted that since January the U.S. Attorney has served subpoenas on many legislative offices; Governor Corzine pleaded with the Legislature for an “historic effort to end the toxic mix of politics, money and public business;” corruption charges have been brought against two Senators and two Assembly members; and not a single comprehensive reform measure has been approved by the Legislature.
“If this year’s events do not inspire immediate action to restore the public’s trust in government, nothing will,” Lance said.
Letter to Governor Corzine follows:
NEW JERSEY SENATE
119 Main Street
Flemington, NJ 08822
September 12, 2007
The Honorable Jon S. Corzine, Governor of New Jersey
Executive Chambers
State House
Trenton, New Jersey 08625
Dear Governor Corzine:
I am writing to convey the deep concern of the Senate Republican Caucus regarding the lack of progress in ethics reform. The arrest last week of two Assembly members is a sad reminder that the reforms promised New Jersey residents during the past several years have not been fulfilled.
It is true we cannot legislate integrity. We can, however, enact laws that change New Jersey’s political culture by bringing about structural reforms that elevate the standards of acceptable behavior. Our state’s lax campaign finance and conflict of interest laws often ignore objectionable behavior on the part of government officials. Too often our laws permit actions and activities that pit the personal interests of these officials against the collective good of New Jersey residents. This has created a political environment that has led many to engage in illegal activity.
I believe you are sincerely committed to ethics reform that will restore public confidence in government. And I believe you share our frustration at the lack of success in full ethics reform.
On behalf of the Senate Republican Caucus, I urge you to use the powers vested in you by Article IV, Section I, Paragraph 4 of the New Jersey Constitution and call the Legislature into Special Session for the purpose of enacting tough ethics reform legislation.
There is no shortage of bills, sponsored by Democrats and Republicans, that would meaningfully change how government operates through comprehensive pay-to-play reform, a ban on wheeling, an immediate end to dual office-holding for all officeholders and the imposition of tougher penalties on those who violate the public trust.
I am aware you would prefer to delay action on ethics reform until after the November legislative elections. I respectfully disagree. Experience has shown that reform should occur as quickly as possible.
Last January, you urged the Legislature to enact true pay-to-play reform by calling for an “historic effort to end the toxic mix of politics, money and public business.” Senator Peter Inverso took your appeal to heart. He has long championed the fight to end the practice of trading contracts for campaign contributions that in turn are wheeled into political races to accrue even greater power over government contracts. Several times he moved to have his pay-to-play reform bill relieved from the State Government Committee, where it has been denied a hearing, and brought directly to the Senate floor for a vote. Each time, members of the majority party have voted to table his motion and thus block comprehensive pay-to-play reform.
There is no reason to believe that after the campaign the same legislators who have frustrated comprehensive reform will suddenly embrace a lame duck effort to impose changes in the rules that govern their behavior and the behavior of their political patrons.
The Senate Republican Caucus implores you to seize this moment to ensure that fundamental reforms are enacted as soon as possible. I look forward to working with you and my colleagues in the Legislature to ensure that the rhetoric of reform translates into accomplishments that benefit all New Jersey residents.
Sincerely,
Leonard Lance
Senate Minority Leader
Link to Post:
http://www.senatenj.com/index.php/lance/lance-corzine-must-call-special-sessionon-ethics-reform/122
Similar Posts:
- Familiar Words and Phrases We Hope the Public Doesn’t Hear Again as Democrats Discuss Ethics Reform
September 25, 2008 - Tom Kean and Jennifer Beck: Corzine Ethics Package Merits Serious Consideration
September 24, 2008 - Kean/Codey Bipartisan Ethics Reform Advances In The Senate
March 10, 2008 - O’Toole: Senate Dems Refuse to Consider Ethics Reforms
March 17, 2008 - When Will Democrats Allow Complete Ethics Reform?
March 17, 2008
