Sierra Club Supports Governor's Ethics Package

For Immediate Release
Contact: Jeff Tittel September 24, 2008 (609) 558-9100

Sierra Club Supports Governor's Ethics Package

Trenton, NJ - Today Governor Corzine unveiled his proposed ethics package, aimed at reducing corruption and abuse throughout the state. Through legislation and executive orders, the governor plans to institute reforms including banning campaign contributions by developers seeking development approvals and requiring more disclosure of partners, making the issue of who stands to benefit from a certain project more transparent.

"This package is as much about protecting New Jersey's environment and open spaces as it is about ethics reform," said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club. "Developer pay-to-play is one of the major causes of sprawl and overdevelopment in New Jersey. By limiting campaign contributions from developers or redevelopers in front of local boards, it will go a long way toward bringing good planning and appropriate development to the state."

Numerous abuses of power have occurred in the state with environmentally-disastrous projects such as Encap, as well as eminent domain abuses by politically-connected redevelopers. These reforms are important measures for curbing those abuses. "Without developer pay-to-play, maybe we wouldn't have gotten Fast Track or the Permit Extension Act," Tittel noted.

"The only thing green about many politicians is the money that the take from developers," he concluded. "Going after this form of corruption is one of the most important steps the governor has ever taken to end sprawl in New Jersey."

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Becca Glenn, Program Assistant New Jersey Sierra Club

145 W. Hanover Street Trenton, NJ 08618

609-656-7612: phone

609-656-7618: fax

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