Gov. Phil Murphy has signed into law a controversial bill that critics say will strip the state’s campaign finance watchdog of its independence. The “Elections Transparency Act” passed both chambers last week, but not without debate. The bill doubles campaign contribution limits and holds political campaigns to stricter reporting requirements. But it also allows Murphy to directly appoint commissioners to the Election Law Enforcement Commission, the agency tasked with investigating campaign finance violations.
Late last week the three ELEC commissioners resigned in protest. Critics call the law a power grab by the governor, but supporters of the measure say it will shed much-needed light on so-called dark money groups by requiring them to reveal donors. They also say ELEC is in need of an overhaul.
