May 11, 2009
  | ASSEMBLY REPUBLICANS CRITICIZE |
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While some may think that today’s Assembly State Government Committee’s approval of a bill defining the electoral and campaign requirements of New Jersey’s Lieutenant Governor represents progress in setting forth the parameters for the office, Assembly Republicans Caroline Casagrande, Declan O’Scanlon, and Jay Webber see it a different way.
Although the proposed legislation is identical to some provisions introduced in March by Assemblymen O’Scanlon and Webber that would establish parameters for the office, there are significant omissions in the legislation that was released at today’s committee meeting compared to O’Scanlon and Webber’s bill.
In contrast to the O’Scanlon/Webber proposal, the bill fails to speak to such topics as: basic anti pay-to-play provisions prohibiting a government contractor who derives over $17,500 or more from the state from making contributions; enumerating a plan for the succession of powers; detailing a salary limit or residency requirement; allowing voters the opportunity to recall the lieutenant governor; requiring lobbyists to disclose contacts with the lieutenant governor; or addressing potential conflicts of interest.
“While it is flattering that the bill’s sponsor would duplicate provisions I introduced with Assemblyman Webber earlier this year, it is troubling that this legislation is silent on many key points that we identified and addressed,” stated O’Scanlon, R-Monmouth and Mercer. “It lacks details on both simple and complex issues. There are too many loopholes that will eventually result in more bureaucracy and public cynicism.”
At the hearing, Republican committee member Casagrande offered an amendment to the Democrat-sponsored bill that would have addressed the numerous oversights that were of concern. However, the amendment was voted down along party lines.
“The failure to stipulate that lobbying the lieutenant governor must be reported just as lobbying the governor, along with a provision for recalling the officeholder are conspicuous by their absence,” said Casagrande, R-Monmouth and Mercer. “It is also troubling that there is no mention about conflicts of interest or a clause discussing the succession of powers.
“In its current form, this legislation is most noteworthy for what is not included,” continued Casagrande. “My alternative speaks to the silence on important aspects that need to be detailed, and prevent a court of law from getting involved.”
“Today’s bill ignores many important topics and leaves open to interpretation or manipulation aspects of the new lieutenant governor position,” stated Webber, R-Morris and Passaic. “It is not too late to tie up the loose ends in this proposal to ensure that we apply basic ethics requirements to the office of Lieutenant Governor.”
