The League of Women Voters
of New Jersey

a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization whose purpose is to promote political responsibility
through informed and active participation in government

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. S.2577 does not include meaningful limits and it is not campaign finance reform. The League asks the committee not to release S.2577.

Although the bill before you reduces annual contributions to legislative leadership committees and state and county political party committees to those limits before the most recent adjustment for inflation, these limits will not accomplish true reform. The different channels available for making contributions and the tendency to make them in tandem allow any individual or special interest that wants to have more than $25,000 worth of influence to be able to get it. We applaud your placing a limit on contributions to political and continuing political committees from individuals, corporations, unions, associations and groups, but again believe the limit is too high.

Our preference is one low limit-low enough to constitute a real impediment to the flow of special interest dollars-for all entities receiving contributions. S.2577 does not do that and the bill does not constitute reform.

(1) All entities to State political party and legislative leadership committees FROM $37,000 TO $25,000 (32% reduction)

(2) National political party to state political party FROM $72,000 TO $50,000 (44% reduction)

(2b) All entities to county political party FROM $37,000 TO $25,000

(2c) All entitites to municipal political party Check original bill currently $7,200 and looks like they think raising it from ($5000) to $7200

Places $7200 limit on individuals, corporation, union, groups to political committees and continuing political committees whereas now there is no limit.

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