Bringing "Advocacy Groups" Out of the Shadows

by: Barbara Buono

Mon Jul 19, 2010 at 10:32:14 AM EDT

Promoted by Jason Springer: We've written plenty about Christie's Slush Fund, Reform Jersey Now. Senator Buono tells us more about the approach they are taking in the Legislature.

By now, we are all aware of the "advocacy organization" Reform Jersey Now.

Operating in the shadows, this group is raising unlimited sums of money to advocate in support of Governor Chris Christie's policies and agenda. That's because 501(c)4 organizations like Reform Jersey Now are not subject to campaign disclosure requirements, pay-to-play rules or contribution limitations. This is a clear loophole in our campaign finance laws. And we must close it.

Reform Jersey Now needs to live up to a higher ethical standard. Many of these so-called "issue groups" are simply political machines marching under a different name and to a different set of laws. Allowing this disparity to continue would only render our campaign finance and pay-to-play laws useless. It's obvious that this organization is operating under the radar. Except, of course, for those times when they send out invitations detailing how supporters can navigate around campaign finance limits to support Governor Christie.

As Governor Christie is well aware from his days as US Attorney, New Jersey has an unfortunate history of corruption and high-dollar malfeasance. This checkered record costs our taxpayers their hard earned money and erodes confidence in our state government. In these challenging economic times, when everyone is tightening their belts, we need to make sure every dollar is being spent wisely and within the intent of our campaign finance laws.

Barbara Buono :: Bringing "Advocacy Groups" Out of the Shadows

Currently, any vendor holding a state contract valued at more than $17,500 is barred from contributing to a partisan political organization. However, the law does not apply to non-profit political advocacy organizations - like Reform Jersey Now - that can skirt the pay-to-play law and collect unlimited contributions from contractors. I hope Governor Christie will join Senate President Sweeney, Senator Scutari and me in passing legislation to remedy this major flaw in the system.

The provision we are pushing for would be implemented as an amendment to current legislation S2607 - requiring 501(c)4 organizations to disclose their contributors. We cannot allow well-connected developers and high dollar donors - contributing up to $25,000 just to hear Governor Christie speak - to unfairly sway the legislative process by doing an end-around our pay-to-play laws.

We need to bring advocacy organizations out of the shadows and shed light on any potential conflicts of interest that may exist. This legislation will do exactly that. Every New Jersey taxpayer would be able to see exactly who is funding these "advocacy" organizations. I call upon Governor Christie to join us in fighting to pass this important legislation. I hope, together, we can plug a clear loophole in our campaign finance laws and continue reforming our political and electoral systems.