A controversial bill that was slated for signature is now stalled, after Gov. Phil Murphy on Tuesday conditionally vetoed legislation that would no longer require elected officials to include their addresses on financial disclosure statements. His veto was due to a technicality; the governor said in his veto statement that he supports the bill.
Critics say the bill is just the latest example of eroding transparency within government. Assemblyman Jay Webber (R-Morris) voted ‘no’ on the bill in his chamber. He says that the state bill goes further than Daniel’s Law, which shields judges, law enforcement and other officials from disclosing their addresses, which he supports.
“They absolutely should get confidentiality and the protection of these kinds of shields that I think are warranted. The public officials who should not have their addresses withheld, the public officials who should be very accountable and open, are those local elected officials, like councilmen or county commissioners or people on governing bodies, who make significant decisions about property developments in their towns,” said Webber.
