Montgomery seeking to tighten ‘pay-to-play’ law

Coming development of Skillman Village prompts action

By: Jake Uitti
   MONTGOMERY — The Township Committee on Thursday introduced amendments to its "pay-to-play" ordinance that would broaden campaign contribution limits to include redevelopers and any professionals or subcontractors working for the redevelopers.
   The action, suggested over the summer by Deputy Mayor Cecilia Birge, is related to the Skillman Village redevelopment plan on the former North Princeton Developmental Center site, and is supported by all members of the Township Committee.
   "We are taking a common-sense step to ensure that the Skillman Village planning and redevelopment processes are free from even the appearance of political or financial conflicts," said Ms. Birge. "This amendment makes our ordinance, which is already a very good and strict one, even better."
   Montgomery’s pay-to-play ordinance, which was first adopted in early 2003, limits contributions from township professionals, vendors and contractors to $250 per candidate per year or $500 to any Montgomery Township municipal or Somerset County political party committee.
   No such professional, vendor or contractor may contribute more than $1,000 to all candidates for the office of Township Committee and all Montgomery Township municipal or Somerset County political party committees combined.
   "We were proud to be one of the first municipalities in the state to adopt a pay-to-play ordinance, and to do so with bipartisan support," said Mayor Louise Wilson. "We worked with NJ Common Cause and the Center for Civic Responsibility to make sure it was good and tight. Our action now is just a logical next step."
   Mark Caliguire, the lone Republican on the five-member Township Committee, said, "I am happy to support a pay-to-play ban that is particularly poignant as we embark to the redevelopment of the former North Princeton Developmental Center site. It is imperative that this process be above reproach, given its magnitude and its importance to the future of Montgomery."
   He added, "This should not be a partisan issue — it’s about ensuring that the legislative process at all levels of government in New Jersey maintains the trust of the citizens it is meant to serve."
   Committeeman John Warms expressed some reservations during Wednesday night’s work session about placing limits on people’s ability to contribute to political campaigns.
   "Under the First Amendment, people have a right to contribute," Mr. Warms said in a phone interview on Monday. "But from my perspective, if a developer wanted to offer me money, I would say I don’t think it’s the right thing to do. I don’t want to be in a position of taking money from a developer. It’s a hard question, though everybody has the right to do it."
   The committee will vote on the ordinance at its next meeting, slated for Oct. 5.