NYT: Court Rejects Christie’s Limits on Campaign Donations From Labor

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/08/nyregion/08christie.html


By RICHARD PÉREZ-PEÑA Published: May 7, 2010

A New Jersey appeals court on Friday overturned an attempt by Gov. Christopher J. Christie to sharply limit campaign contributions by government employee unions, saying that he could not make such a change without the Legislature’s cooperation.


Rich Schultz/Associated Press

Gov. Christopher J. Christie, with Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno and former Gov. Thomas H. Kean on Friday, said he might appeal.

On Jan. 20, the day after his inauguration, Mr. Christie, a first-term Republican, signed an executive order that would have lowered the maximum contributions by the unions from thousands of dollars — tens of thousands in some cases — to just $300.

In Friday’s ruling, a three-judge panel of the Appellate Division said that such changes go far beyond the governor’s unilateral authority and would require enactment of a state law — an unlikely prospect with Democrats in control of both houses of the Legislature.

The decision is a victory for the governor’s most powerful foes, the unions that opposed him in last year’s election and now are fighting his proposed budget cuts, and the Democrats, who are largely allied with those unions.

The Appellate Division made its ruling effective July 1, to give Mr. Christie time to appeal to the State Supreme Court. Speaking to reporters at the State House in Trenton, the governor said, “That’s something that we are going to consider as an option.”

“The executive order,” he said, “was about achieving a policy objective, and that is to level the playing field so that no one has a greater advantage over the other because of their money. It should be only because of the power of their ideas.”

FULL story at link.

[Angry Dragon]

1. I really like the last sentences

“The executive order,” he said, “was about achieving a policy objective, and that is to level the playing field so that no one has a greater advantage over the other because of their money. It should be only because of the power of their ideas.”

How can a person be so stupid to believe that it is level playing field now with all the corporations and their big money.

[LARED]

2. If I remember correctly

most or all corporations are limited to a $300 donation in NJ. Hence he was trying to level the playing field.

on edit

A series of laws passed from 2004 to 2008 sought to curb “pay-to-play” practices, restricting campaign contributions by any person or company doing business with the state. Mr. Christie’s order would expand the definition of those covered by the laws to include unions that have labor contracts with state agencies or with any other “public entities” in the state.

In general, a person, a union or a corporation can give up to $2,600 per election cycle to a candidate’s committee, $7,200 per cycle to a political action committee or a municipal-level party committee, $25,000 per year to a state party or a legislative leadership committee and $37,000 per year to a county party committee.

But under the pay-to-play law, a person or business with a government contract can give no more than $300 to any committee; any more, and the contract is rescinded. Under the governor’s order, that $300 limit would also apply to unions representing public employees.

[Madam Mossfern]

3. Except

The way they get around that is to have individuals within the corporations donate the money.
Believe me, there are ways to get around the 'rules'.

Employees and unions have a different relationship with government than vendors. It is not really an apples to apples comparison. There is no issue of competitive bidding.

[LARED]

4. I agree there are ways to get around the rules

but everyone should have to play by the same rules IMHO. I live in NJ and this state is rife with corruptions at all levels. So this is not an anti union position on my part it is a anti pay-to-play view.

[Omaha Steve]

5. SCOTUS ruling should be used?

IF corporations get unlimited donations, so should unions.

[LARED]

7. Maybe I've missed it, but that is the problem in reverse

In NJ unions are able to donate without limit but corporations are not. At least those that contract with the state.

[Madam Mossfern]

8. Finance reform?

Absolutely!
I live in New Jersey too.
My modest proposal: Each candidate gets a specific amount of money they are allowed to spend on their campaign. That way we will be able to tell just how well the candidates will do on budgeting, how much they can get for that same amount of money and how effectively they are at getting out their messages.

[LARED]

9. Crazy talk

but I like it.

[Angry Dragon]

6. Thank you for the information

I will take this at face value and stand corrected.