Baroni: Save ELEC

Corzine Budget Cuts The Election Law Enforcement Commission

Senator Bill Baroni (R-14), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee asked Governor Corzine, in a letter today, to restore funding for the Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC). A copy of the letter is attached.

"Governor Corzine's budget will hurt the ability of this agency to do its job. Since its inception, ELEC has been on the front lines of campaign finance reform. If we are serious about stopping corruption, expanding campaign finance reform and ending 'Pay-to-Play, ' the ELEC's budget must not be cut," said Baroni.

The 2006 Pay-to-Play disclosure law covered over 2, 000 different elections and over 24, 000 contracts amounting to over $10.3 billion, including $14.8 million in campaign donations. ELEC oversees 6, 000 candidates, about 30, 000 reports, and in 2007 over $69 million in campaign donations.

"We need to be serious about ending New Jersey's Culture of Corruption," Baroni contends. "It is vital that we both strengthen and support ELEC. Governor Corzine's budget does neither."
April 17, 2008

The Honorable Jon Corzine

Governor, State of New Jersey

State House

Trenton, New Jersey 08625

Dear Governor Corzine:

I am deeply concerned by your decision to cut the budget of the Election Law Enforcement Commission. ELEC's mission of enforcing our campaign finance laws is vital. Cutting the commission's budget will only serve to encourage those who seek to abuse or circumvent campaign finance regulations.

More than one hundred public officials, both Republican and Democrat, have been tainted by political corruption. This has only added to New Jersey's reputation as a state with a culture of corruption. In order to overcome this perception we must strengthen the watchdog agencies of this state and implement stronger ethics reforms.

I hope you will reconsider your recommendation to cut ELEC's budget. ELEC has been a leader in the area of campaign finance reform since its inception in 1973. This agency serves the interests of the taxpayers in every corner of the state, and should receive the funding it needs to perform its vital work.

Sincerely,

Senator Bill Baroni

ELEC FACT SHEET

ELEC APPROPRIATIONS

Fiscal Year 2007  $5, 024 Million

Fiscal Year 2008  $4, 897 Million

Fiscal Year 2009  $4, 147 Million

Reduction FY 2007-2009  $877, 000

STAFFING LEVELS

21 Unfilled Vacancies

7 Funded Vacancies Removed

69 of 90 Positions Filled

5 of 8 Legal Positions Filled

1 of 4 Report Reviewers Filled

9 of 16 Compliance Staff Positions Filled

In an average year ELEC oversees 6, 000 candidates, about 30, 000 reports and in 2007 $69 million in campaign contributions.