Time for Corzine to act

Editorial, Asbury Park Press, May 17, 2007

 Three ethics reform bills approved by an Assembly committee this week are a step in the right direction. But they are only baby steps.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ...

CAMPAIGN CASH NOT DEFENSE FUND

Editorial, Gloucester County Times, April 29, 2007

The effort by Assembly Republicans to put state Sen. Wayne Bryant's campaign money out of reach for his criminal defense would eliminate an apparent gray area in the way the state Election Law Enforcement Commission works.

U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Christie identified corruption as the top issue facing the state during a town meeting with three Republican legislators in Monmouth County last night and called on people to join him in the fight for better government by attending government meetings and voting in elections.

But the former Morris County Freeholder and fundraiser for President George W. Bush's 2000 campaign says that his town meeting tour -- he held another one recently with State Senator Peter Inverso and Assemblyman Bill Baroni -- is unrelated to speculation that he might seek the Republican nomination for Governor in 2009.

"It's a fair question," Christie said when asked if he's running. "The answer is 'no.'"

U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie will join Republican legislators in the 13th district for a Town Meeting on April 26 in Middletown.  The non-political event will allow the federal prosecutor to "discuss the actions his office has taken to protect our children and neighborhoods from drugs and gang violence; to combat terrorism and ensure homeland security; to fight white collar crime; and to once and for all show that the people of New Jersey will no longer stand for public corruption," according to a press release issued by State Sen. Joseph Kyrillos' office. 

Assemblyman Samuel Thompson and Assemblywoman Amy Handlin will join Christie and Kyrillos at the forum, to be held at 7:30 PM at Middletown High School North.

The open slot on the Democratic Assembly slate in the thirteenth district was not intentional: Old Bridge resident Bob Brown had about 169 signatures on the wrong petition, leaving Patricia Walsh as the lone challenger to GOP incumbents Amy Handlin and Samuel Thompson.  Democrats are pledging a write-in campaign to nominate a second Assembly candidate -- and a Senate candidate against Minority Leader Leonard Lance in the 23rd district.

One indication that the Democrats don't intend to mount much of a challenge to five-term State Senator Joseph Kyrillos: their candidate is Leonard Inzerillo, who had a very public fight with party leaders last summer. 

CLEAN ELECTIONS REAUTHORIZATION SIGNED INTO LAW
Measure Expands, Strengthens Public Financing Project for 2007 Legislative Races

(TRENTON) - Bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the state's Clean Elections program for 2007 and enhance the ability of candidates to qualify for public financing was signed into law today by Governor Jon S. Corzine.

CLEAN ELECTIONS REAUTHORIZATION
CLEARS FINAL LEGISLATIVE HURDLE
Legislation to Expand Project for 2007, Institute Changes
To Enhance Chances for Program's Success Heads to Governor's Desk

(TRENTON) - Bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the state's Clean Elections program for 2007 and enhance the ability of candidates to qualify for public campaign financing was given final passage by the Legislature today.

KEAN-HANDLIN PRAISE BUDGET TRANSPARENCY, BUT URGE COMMITTEE TO TAKE UP ADDITIONAL REFORMS

ASK STATE GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER ADDITIONAL ETHICS REFORM MEASURES STALLED SINCE LAST YEAR

HANDLIN TO CORZINE: HERE IS A WAY TO SAVE $1.2 MILLION BY DOING NOTHING!

Noting that legislators have introduced legislation to repeal a 2005 law that increased the number of county tax board commissioners at annual cost of $1.2 million despite a statewide decrease in the number of tax appeals filed, Assemblywoman Amy Handlin today asked Governor Corzine not to fill any vacancies on those boards at this time.

Keep an eye on Monmouth County Freeholder Anna Little. There is considerable speculation that Republicans could seek to replace her on the organization line when she runs for re-election this year. The GOP must defend two of their four seats in 2007 and are concerned that unsubstantiated rumors of potential ethical infractions could hurt their chances to maintain control of county government.

Little, an ex-Highlands Councilwoman, won a hotly contested special election to fill the seat of Amy Handlin, who had been elected to the State Assembly. She won an unexpired term last November, but is up for re-election this year. Democrats won the seat of longtime GOP Freeholder Theodore Narozanick, with former Freehold Councilwoman Barbara McMorrow defeating Manalapan Committeeman Andrew Lucas.