Obama ban on lobbyists in government doesn't work for Corzine
By Wally EdgeBarack Obama has pledged to ban lobbyists from holding positions in his administration, something that is the norm in New Jersey politics. According to documents filed with the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission, 226 different lobbyists serve as members of governmental authorities, boards and commissions at the state and local level.
Like predecessors from both parties, Gov. Jon Corzine has appointed numerous lobbyists to state positions. His possible Republican opponent, former U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie, would not dismiss the idea that he would put lobbyists in his administration.
"The test is a conflict of interest," Christie told PolitickerNJ.com's Max Pizarro today. "If there is a specific conflict of interest, that person shouldn't be on a board or commission."
Lobbyists who seek to influence state government while working for it, usually in unpaid capacities, include: Turnpike Authority Commissioner Harold Hodes, Local Finance Board member Jamie Fox, New Jersey Building Authority Commissioner Bill Maer, Sports Authority Commissioner Raymond Bateman, College of New Jersey Trustee Bradley Brewster, State Board of Master Plumbers member Paul Bontempo, and John Russo, a member of the Rutgers University Board of Governors.
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