DeCROCE AND MALONE SAY THEY ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO FULL PARTNERSHIP WITH CORZINE ON ETHICS REFORM PROPOSALS

ANXIOUS TO WORK TOWARD COMPLETE BANS ON PAY-TO-PLAY AND WHEELING 

Assembly Republican Leader Alex DeCroce and Republican Budget Officer Joseph Malone today said they are looking forward to being full partners in Governor Jon Corzine’s effort to advance a series of significant ethics reform measures, including a complete ban on pay-to-play and wheeling – the practice of shifting campaign dollars from one party organization to another.

“From what we heard today it appears the Governor is committed to a complete ban on pay-to-play and wheeling,” said DeCroce, R-Morris and Passaic. “We have been advocating for these reforms for years and will work with the Governor and the Democrat leadership in the Legislature to advance these reforms as soon as possible.”

DeCroce and Malone met with Corzine Wednesday morning to be briefed on the Governor’s new ethics reform proposal. While no actual legislation or language details were made available, the Governor indicated that the bans on pay-to-play and wheeling will be complete.

“We look forward to this opportunity to participate in a bipartisan partnership for comprehensive reform,” Malone said. “New Jersey residents want to see a return to honesty and integrity in government and we plan to work with Governor Corzine, Speaker Roberts and Senate President Codey to make these reforms a reality.”

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