September 12, 2007

Contact: Mike Jennings

Senator Leonard Lance, R-23

LANCE: CORZINE MUST CALL SPECIAL SESSION ON ETHICS REFORM
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.

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   NEW JERSEY SENATE       LEONARD LANCE                                                                                                                  119 Main Street    State Senator, District 23                                                                                                      Flemington, NJ 08822Hunterdon and Warren Counties                                                                                      Telephone: 908-788-6900                                                                                                                                                          Facsimile: 908-788-0416                                                                                                                                                     Electronic Mail: SenLance@njleg.org   

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