I am pleased to inform you that at last night’s meeting the Hoboken City Council voted unanimously to introduce an ordinance I sponsored which updates Hoboken’s pay-to-play ordinance with amendments that were submitted by Hoboken People for Open Government. This ordinance now places tighter restrictions on developers and public contractors that contribute to local political campaigns.
As a result special interests money will have a harder time making its way into Hoboken elections. The need for this was underscored during a special election for City Council in November when one of the candidates met with a developer who had a zoning appeal before the City Council, voted in favor of granting the appeal for the developer’s height variance, and then received a $1,000 campaign contribution from that developer and his business partner.
In addition, the City of Hoboken will now appoint a Pay-to-Play Compliance Officer who will require candidates for municipal office file the ELEC reports with the City of Hoboken, which disclose campaign contributors and expenditures. This Pay-to-Play officer will be responsible for reviewing these reports for any pay-to-play violations. The need for a Pay-to-Play Compliance Officer was also underscored during the November election when the same candidate referenced above filed his ELEC reports from his failed 2001 City Council campaign over 8 years late in April 2010.
Once again Hoboken has become the leader in pay-to-play reform and serves as an example not just to the State of New Jersey but to the entire country. Together we will continue to advocate for good government and the rights of everyday people so we can make Hoboken an even better place to live and raise a family.
I look forward to seeing you soon and ask that you please do not hesitate to contact me at (201)-916-8244 or Beth@MasonCityCouncil.org.
Thank you for your time. ◦
