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Assemblyman Declan O'Scanlon, R-12th District, has crafted a bill that would, if adopted by the Legislature, eliminate potential conflicts of interest for state lawmakers. The measure would prevent legislators from entering into contracts with public entities in their district.
According to a March 27 press release, it reports that O'Scanlon introduced the legislation already.
"While having people with experience in running their own businesses is an asset to the Legislature, we must make sure that these officials are not using their legislative positions for personal gain and are not allowing the operation of their business to conflict with their legislative duties," O'Scanlon said.
O'Scanlon's bill, A-2585, supplements New Jersey's conflict of itnerest law to prohibit members of the Legislature from entering into contracts to provide goods or services to, or perform any employment for, any municipal, county or state public entity located within their legislative districts.
The prohibition would apply to any corporation or partnership controlled by the legislator, and also any business in which the memberowns or controls more than one percent of stock.
O'Scanlon said, "As someone who operates his own business, I understand the importance of avoidinig these potential conflicts and have voluntarily imposed this standard on my own business activities. This bill would ensure that this standard is mandatory for all legislators.
For additional information, contact O'Scalon at (732) 933-1591
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My Opinion: Great job, Assemblyman O'Scanlon! This is exactly the kind of legislation that New Jersey needs. This is the kind of law that would help stem corruption in New Jersey, which virtually assures it won't go anywhere. Nevertheless, Assemblyman O'Scanlon trying should mean a great deal to those he represents.
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"Assemblyman Declan O'Scanlon, R-12th District, has crafted a bill that would, if adopted by the Legislature, eliminate potential conflicts of interest for state lawmakers. The measure would prevent legislators from entering into contracts with public entities in their district."
Why limit it to only their districts?
Example: The topic of state aid reductions to towns under 10,000 population - John Wisnieski's (assembly rep from Middlesex) law firm is the municipal attorney in a town (Keyport) whose population is under 10,000. Isn't it a conflict if he votes for or against a state budget that contains any type of cut in aid to Keyport because of it's population?
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