Assemblywoman Donna Simon’s bipartisan ban of government work for certain corrupt contractors was unanimously approved today by the Assembly State Government Committee.

“Earning a government contract and doing business with New Jersey is an agreement to provide honest services at a fair price for taxpayers. There are consequences in life and in business; fraudulence should be dealt with accordingly,” Simon, R-Hunterdon, Somerset, Mercer and Middlesex, said.

Simon sponsors A-3425, which would implement a bipartisan plan to bar government contracts from anyone who has been convicted of defrauding the government. This fall, the Senate approved S-2167, identical legislation sponsored by Democrat Senator Shirley Turner, who introduced the measure in response to a bid-rigging scheme of school contracts in north Jersey.

“These are very serious crimes against taxpayers and school children, which merit very strong penalties that will deter others and make sure first-time offenders do not become repeat offenders,” Simon said.