The PCDO Government Ethics committee strongly supports public campaign financing as the single most direct and effective way to address the problem of political corruption in New Jersey.

In 2005, two New Jersey legislative districts took part in a pilot project for public financing of elections. The New Jersey Citizens' Clean Elections Commission, which was created by the New Jersey Legislature to review the pilot program and produce a report, recommends adjusting eligibility requirements and expanding the program. This would make it easier for candidates to qualify for public financing and would expand the number of participating districts from two to six for the 2007 elections.

Therefore the Government Ethics committee proposed a resolution that was approved by the membership. For more information about this resolution or the Government Ethics Committee, contact Co-Chairs Russ Weiss, phone 683-1379 or Marvin Reed, phone 921-1470.

Resolution:

The Princeton Community Democratic Organization commends the efforts of the New Jersey Legislature and the Governor to reduce corruption in our government by creating a pilot project for public financing of elections. For too long the image of New Jersey has been tarnished by the corrosive effect of special interest money seeking influence on government decisions. Public campaign financing is the single most direct and effective way to deal with this problem. Therefore, it is the view of the PCDO that the New Jersey Citizens' Clean Elections Commission's Final Report of May 8, 2006 should be given priority attention by the state legislature and the Governor. The PCDO supports the expansion of the project as an important milestone on the road to clean elections and clean government in New Jersey.

Additionally, the PCDO urges the governing bodies of Princeton Borough and Princeton Township ban “pay-to-play” campaign contributions at the local level.

Relevant links:

NJ Clean Elections Commission

Press release from May 06 on Clean Elections Report