LWVNJ Testimony in Opposition
S.1189
Senate State Government Committee
Monday, September 25, 2000
Given by Alyson
Becker
Campaign finance reform is a top priority for the League. It
is part of our nationwide effort that seeks to counter Americans'
growing cynicism about politics and government and build their
confidence in the possibility of bringing about positive change.
Campaign finance laws must include reasonable limitations on total
contributions from any one source including goods and services and
full disclosure of all campaign contributions and expenditures.
S.1189 is a step backward from both these goals.
The inflation adjusted contribution limits of $2,200 per
election from individuals are more than adequate to cover the cost
of running for office in New Jersey. Fund raising events and
their costs are goods and services a candidate offers in order to
gather contributions. To effectively increase that limit by
reporting only the net amount from fund raising events is
outrageous. Contributors who are going to give the maximum
allowable under the law and who are willing to give more will be
able to underwrite any number of events in an effort to attract
additional contributors. S.1189 simply allows more money into
campaigns, at a time when citizens are calling for just the
opposite.
S.1189 also is a step back in disclosure. There will be no way
to trace which contributors are gaining influence by picking up
the cost of fund raising events they attend.
The League requests the committee not release S.1189.
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