Assemblyman Sean Kean and Assemblywoman Amy Handlin

KEAN-HANDLIN PRAISE BUDGET TRANSPARENCY, BUT URGE COMMITTEE TO TAKE UP ADDITIONAL REFORMS

ASK STATE GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER ADDITIONAL ETHICS REFORM MEASURES STALLED SINCE LAST YEARFebruary 26, 2007
Assemblyman Sean Kean /732-974-0400
Assemblywoman Amy Handlin/732-787-1170

Assemblyman Sean Kean and Assemblywoman Amy Handlin today supported a number of bills designed to bring greater transparency to the state budget process, but also urged the Assembly State Government Committee to take action on dozens of pending ethics reform bills that have been stalled since last year.

"These budget transparency bills will shed light on a budget process that has become a breeding ground for questionable political pork in recent years," said Kean, R-Monmouth. "But there are other steps we can take that would help put an end to the conflicts of interests that have led to the ongoing federal investigation of the state budget process."

Kean and Handlin are the sponsors of a number of ethics reform bills including legislation calling for the suspension and forfeiture of office for state and local officials and employees who have been indicted for certain offenses, a ban on dual office holding, and a number of campaign finance reform measures.

Additionally, Handlin moved an amendment in committee today to one of the budget transparency bills, A-4013, that would have required legislators, not just lobbyists, to disclose particular items in annual budget or supplemental appropriations acts for which they were responsible. The amendment was rejected by the Democrats on the committee.

"It is critical to hold lobbyists to a high standard of disclosure, and we should hold ourselves to the same standard," said Handlin, R-Monmouth and Middlesex. "The only way to restore the public’s confidence in their Statehouse is to open every door and shine a light in every corner."

#####