BECK SHOWS TRUE COLORS ON PAY-TO-PLAY REFORM

BECK SHOWS TRUE COLORS ON PAY-TO-PLAY REFORM Partisan Attacks Ignore Republican Attempt To Block Real, Sustainable Reform

FREEHOLD – As the Republican majority on the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders inserted "poison pill" language designed to derail the most recent efforts to ban pay-to-play from county contracts, Assemblywoman Jennifer Beck remained silent, refusing to criticize her own party while continually bashing sincere reform efforts pushed by Democrats in Trenton.

"Assemblywoman Beck, as one of the most fervent critics of any Democratic attempt to push the ball forward on ethics reform, owes her constituents an explanation about why she refuses to criticize blatant Republican attempts to protect the status quo," said Karcher for Senate Campaign Manager Mike Premo. "When it comes to bashing Democrats, Jen Beck’s courage knows no bounds. When it comes to calling out her own Republican Party, she missing in action. That’s hypocrisy, pure and simple."

According to reports in the Asbury Park Press, Republican Freeholders have drafted an unwieldy ethics reform resolution which stands little chance of surviving a court challenge.  Additionally, Republicans inserted a non-severability clause, which means that if a court strikes down one part of the reform measure as unconstitutional – which is likely – the entire resolution is considered null and void.  The addition of the non-severability clause has many reform advocates doubting the sincerity of Republican Freeholders’ attempts to ban pay-to-play, the practice of trading campaign donations for lucrative government contracts.

“Getting rid of pay-to-play requires real leadership, not empty words,” said Senator Ellen Karcher. “I have not only fought my own party in Trenton to pass real pay-to-play reform, but I stood in front of the county Freeholder board to ask for a comprehensive ban on the county level. I have always reached out to reform-minded Democrats and Republicans alike to achieve real results, and I’m proud of my record. Since she has no record of her own, all my opponent can do is launch partisan attacks which don’t get anything done. What is further troubling is that it seems that she and the rest of the Monmouth Republicans are following lock-step with their Chairman to block pay-to-play reform.”

"There are those that do, and those that talk about doing," said Premo.  "In her time years in the State Legislature, Assemblywoman Beck’s extremely partisan style has meant she can’t get a single bill she authored signed into law. By contrast, Ellen Karcher has worked in a bi-partisan manner to get real results, continuously standing up for the people of her district – putting them before her own party, and before partisan politics.  Assemblywoman Beck can’t say the same. Her silence on the Republican’s scheme to block pay-to-play reform speaks volumes to the people of the 12th District who want real change."

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