| Last week, Washington Township resident Josh Aronovitch submitted about 1,800 petition signatures in order to have a pay-to-play ordinance placed on the November ballot. Washington Township mayor and Assemblyman Paul Moriarty, who in 2005 introduced and passed weaker pay-to-play legislation, criticized the ordinance saying it "does nothing to limit the influence of specific special interest groups".
Yesterday the township clerk certified that there were enough signatures for the ordinance to be placed on the November ballot if the council doesn't enact the ordinance. They are required to consider it at their next meeting.
Miraculously, after two years of inaction and accepting a flawed pay-to-play law, the council wants to act. Council President Frank Scarpato III: "I wouldn't be surprised if it passes. I'm in favor of the ordinance. I believe in it, I absolutely do." Councilwoman Anita LaPierre:"If we can strengthen it, by all means. I feel like the public needs to know that their elected officials are on the up and up and that there is no favoritism." And even Mayor Moriarty:Moriarty said his ordinance has worked, and believes Aronovitch's proposal "does not go far enough in limiting the influence or contributions of special interest groups."
"I plan to introduce, along with township council, a pay-to-play ordinance that goes beyond what the petitioners have suggested, and I would expect council to introduce it at the next council meeting," he said. It's good to see everyone taking action to strengthen the pay-to-play ban in Washington Township, but I'm a bit skeptical of Moriarty's approach. The timing would suggest that he plans to introduce and pass his own (arguably weaker) legislation while opposing the proposed ordinance so that when voters are presented with the choice on the November ballot, he can urge them to oppose the stronger ordinance by saying that he's already done something about it.
But that's just speculation, and if that's the plan, I don't think it will work. Voters will overwhelmingly support the ordinance if it appears on the November ballot. One way or another, Washington Township will get a tougher pay-to-play law.
This grassroots effort is working exactly as intended. Once there are enough certified signatures for the ordinance to go before the voters, the municipal council is often shamed into action -- despite prior fierce opposition -- because they know it is what the voters want and will vote for. It's been done in dozens of municipalities already. To start or join an effort in your town, visit the Citizens' Campaign. |
