Council Reverses Pay-to-Play Reforms

Town council took the first step Monday in undoing recent pay-to-play reforms, passing an ordinance to return the township to the status quo. 

The ordinance repeals a previous ordinance that significantly upped the amounts businesses could contribute to political campaigns, while also increasing transparency. 

Mayor Stacey Jordan said the original ordinance was passed to make local campaign finance law simpler, but ended up resulting in more confusion.

"I'm not happy with it right now," she said previously. "I never intended for (the changes) to be anything but simplifying and less confusing. Obviously that's not happening."

Jordan, Deputy Mayor Chris Chiacchio and Councilman Greg Newcomer voted in favor of repealing the ordinance, while Councilwoman Victoria Napolitano abstained.

When asked by an audience member why she abstained, Napolitano explained, "I have yet to decide whether I believe a repeal is appropriate."

Democratic Party chairman Robert Gorman, who initiated a petition drive to strike down the reforms, said he was pleased council took action, but was surprised at Napolitano's vote.

"I would think the message was loud and clear," he said, pointing out that more than 1,300 signed the petition opposing the reforms. The signatures have not yet been certified by township clerk Patty Hunt, but Gorman said he has every confidence they will be.

And even if council undoes the reforms on its own—a second and final reading of the repealing ordinance is scheduled for its next meeting—opponents want the township to go through with certifying the petitions.

"We want it on the record," said fellow petitioner Mark Singer. 

Newcomer, who voted against the reforms, doesn't want the pay-to-play discussion to end there however. He believes council should seek to establish best practices for campaign finance going forward.

"I don't know what the conclusion is, but there should be a dialogue," he said.