O’Toole and Beck Want Ethics Reform Now

Senators Kevin O’Toole (R-40) and Jennifer Beck (R-12) called today for greater accountability and transparency oversight in government. The senators requested that seven bills pertaining to dual office holding, pay-to-play and wheeling be brought for a vote at the next Senate State Government Committee hearing.

"My colleagues and I were elected on a platform of change," stated O’Toole. "I am not comfortable with their timetable for reform. We need it now. Lets put together an agenda and get government reform in motion."

"These are the issues New Jersey residents are clamoring to be resolved," continued Beck. "We cannot just sit by and idly watch government run in the same manner it has in the past. We need reform and we need it now."

The motion to have these bills posted for a vote for the next committee meeting was tabled 3-2 along party lines. The bills proposed were:

S-769, Eliminates provision that permits current members of Legislature who hold more than one elective public office on February 1, 2008 to continue to do so if service is continuous.

S-685, Prohibits simultaneous holding of certain State, county and municipal elective and appointive positions.

S-287, Limits contributions by certain public contractors; limits contributions by county and municipal political party committees.

S-760, Establishes stricter limits on contributions to county committees of political parties and by county committees to candidates; prohibits contributions between county committees.

S-600, Prohibits campaign contributions by certain individuals, businesses or other organizations that purchase or acquire property involved in eminent domain proceedings.

S-684, Prohibits county committee of a political party from contributing to or accepting contribution from another such county committee.

SCR-75, Proposes constitutional amendment to provide for suspension and temporary replacement of indicted elected official with vacancy in office declared upon conviction.