On the Road to a Referendum Battle?

A government watchdog group is inching closer to putting its proposed pay-to-play ban to township voters.

The ban would close three major loopholes in the state law that aims to limit campaign contributions from prospective contractors and professionals, proponents say.

The Township Council would get to vote on the measure proposed by South Jersey Citizens (SJC) under the state's initiative and referendum process, but, should Council reject it, voters would be given an opportunity to adopt it.

SJC plans to gather signatures from registered township voters equal to 15 percent of the number of residents who went to the polls for the 2009 general election (about 17,500 voted that year), allowing them to put the proposed ban to the people if necessary, SJC political director Joshua Berry said today.

Berry and Councilman Dan Hutchison have debated whether it would be prudent for Council to adopt the measure during Council's last three meetings—two public sessions and an agenda session.

Hutchison asserted at the June 6 agenda session that he is concerned the proposed pay-to-play ban could hinder the township's ability to enter into shared-services agreements.

Berry responded by adding a clause to the proposed ordinance that would permit the township to enter shared-services agreements regardless of campaign contributions prospective vendors may have made to candidates in other towns.

Hutchison has also drawn a line from the proposal to so-called "secret money," claiming that a pay-to-play ban stronger than the existing state law "encourages subversion" with campaign contributions.

Hutchison ran through a list totaling about $10,000 in 2009 in-kind contributions to the Gloucester Township Republican Municipal Committee from the Washington D.C.-based Republican National Committee.

"I challenge you to find out who gave it to them," Hutchison told Berry Monday night during their latest public conversation on the proposal.

Berry responded by calling Hutchison's attempt to link the two issues a "red herring." Municipalities cannot regulate campaign financing, he said.

He also pointed to a $31,000 contribution to Democratic candidates in 2009 from an organization calling itself the Former Gloucester Township Mayors Association.

"I couldn't find a (New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission report) on these people," Berry said. "Who are they? But, you're right—it's back and forth. The point is it's both wrong. It's like two children pointing fingers at each other. Let's just stop it.

"When it comes to this pay-to-play law ... it's a red herring. You cannot tie them together."