The “Elections Transparency Act” that was passed by the state Senate Monday would allow campaign contribution limits to double and would also give Gov. Phil Murphy a one-time shot at appointing commissioners to the Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC), which oversees the state’s campaign finance system.
“It is a bit ironic that they’re calling this the election transparency bill because this is anything but transparent,” said Liz Glynn, director of organizing with New Jersey Citizen Action.
Sources with the Murphy administration maintain it all started with an alleged complaint about a comment that Jeff Brindle, executive director of ELEC, made in an email.
Senate President Nick Scutari, who has ushered the bill through his caucus, says critics are going to criticize. But he did acknowledge that the appointment leeway given the governor in the bill will rely on Murphy keeping his word.
Republicans blasted the measure. But, even from the majority caucus, there was trepidation expressed on the floor. “The changes in the appointment process will remove the selection of ELEC commissioners from a public independent and bipartisan process to one that eliminates all checks and balances between the commission and the executive branch,” said Sen. Nia Gill (D-Essex).
ELEC has a meeting on Tuesday, when the alleged complaint against Brindle could be the topic of conversation.
The bill is now headed to the Assembly.
