East Windsor eyeing ban on pay-to-play

‘The purpose of this ordinance is to set maximums of contributions that service professionals can contribute.’Janice Mironov East Windsor mayor.

By: Dana Lynn Flatekval
   EAST WINDSOR — Campaign contributors could be banned from professional service appointment eligibility in the township if a pay-to-play ordinance is introduced at the next Township Council meeting and later adopted.
   At Tuesday’s meeting, council members decided it would be in the best interest of the township to draft a pay-to-play ordinance. The ordinance is scheduled to be formally introduced Dec. 21.
   This decision comes one month after Hightstown Borough adopted its pay-to-play ordinances. The borough’s three pay-to-play regulations focus on prohibiting the borough from securing service from any professional provider that has made contributions to political campaigns.
   Mayor Janice Mironov said in an interview Thursday that the township’s decision to have a pay-to-play ordinance was not prompted by the borough’s adoption of its pay-to-play rules.
   Pay-to-play is the practice of donating to campaigns or political parties in exchange for no-bid municipal contracts and appointments. Donations could include drinks, tickets, money, pledged money, dinners or the purchase of campaign supplies.
   Mayor Mironov said she asked township staff to organize some information on pay-to-play ordinances that other municipalities use.
   The mayor said the ordinance will model traditional pay-to-play ordinances.
   "The purpose of this ordinance is to set maximums of contributions that service professionals can contribute," the mayor said.
   She said the township looked at model ordinances from Common Cause, a public watchdog group dedicated to eliminating pay-to-play, and from Mercer County.
   According to Common Cause, more than 80 municipalities have outlawed pay-to-play.
   Mayor Mironov said the township currently makes it a practice to solicit multiple quotes or proposals from companies before making a decision to award a contract.
   She also said having multiple perspectives from different companies is the correct way to find a good price.
   "It’s the only way to make good business decisions," Mayor Mironov said. "We think it is the respectful and appropriate approach to spending public money."
   Mayor Mironov said having a play-to-play ordinance would help to ensure that the elected officials of the council have the confidence of the community members.