New Jersey Lawmaker Pushes Bill To Stop Dems From Dismantling Public Records Access Laws

New Jersey Lawmaker Pushes Bill To Stop Dems From Dismantling Public Records Access Laws
Trenton, New Jersey, United States of America – September 6, 2016. Interior view of the New Jersey State House in Trenton, NJ. View of the rotunda with architectural details. File Photo by Zeytun Photos.

Trenton, N.J. – Assemblyman Greg McGuckin has put forward a new bill following recommendations by the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC). The bill aims to reverse certain provisions in a controversial law that critics say weakened the independent elections watchdog and allowed for political corruption.

Passed last year along party lines, the Elections Transparency Act made significant alterations to New Jersey’s campaign finance regulations.

The law removed safeguards against corruption, highlighted gaps in pay-to-play rules, limited ELEC’s capacity to probe violations, and raised donation caps for candidates and party leaders.

In addressing the changes proposed by ELEC in its annual report, McGuckin’s bill (A4431) focuses on improving reporting standards, aiding in investigations of infractions, and enhancing transparency in political financing. The Assemblyman hopes that these modifications will gain bipartisan support amid growing public distrust in governmental processes.