Jersey City measure restricting campaign cash from developers is vetoed by mayor

By Terrence T. McDonald/The Jersey Journal
January 22, 2013 at 4:35 PM

A Jersey City ordinance that would have restricted redevelopers from donating campaign cash to local candidates for elected office has been vetoed by Mayor Jerramiah Healy.

Healy, who last month vetoed a similar measure that would have restricted some city vendors from making even small campaign donations, said through a spokeswoman that he vetoed the new ordinance for the same reason he struck down the previous measure.

In the City Council?s ?rush? to limit pay-to-play, Healy said of the previous veto, they devised restrictions that may not pass legal muster. That criticism stands for the newer ordinance, said city spokeswoman Jennifer Morrill.

The council on Jan. 9 adopted the newer measure, known as the Redeveloper?s Pay-to-Play Reform Ordinance, by a 5-4 vote. Council members Peter Brennan, Bill Gaughan, Viola Richardson and Michael Sottolano voted against.

Ward E Councilman Steve Fulop, Healy?s opponent in May?s mayoral race, championed the measure, saying it would limit the influence of campaign donors on city government.

The ordinance would have restricted redevelopers who do business with the city from donating over $200 to candidate for city office, school board and state Senate or Assembly seats that represent Jersey City.

The ordinance would also have prohibited redevelopers from donating to a number of other election-related committees and political parties. The council adopted similar restrictions on Dec. 19, also vetoed by Healy, that were aimed at city vendors who receive ?no-bid? contracts.

"This veto is just another example of Healy acting in his own political self interest at the expense of Jersey City's taxpayers,? said Fulop campaign spokesman Bruno Tedeschi.

Meanwhile, Fulop has started a campaign to convince two members of the council who voted against the Dec. 19 ordinance to vote in favor of overriding Healy?s veto, which would require six affirmative votes. The Dec. 19 measure was adopted by a 5-4 vote, with the same four members who voted against the Jan. 9 measure voting in opposition.

Fulop sent an email to supporters today urging them to phone Brennan and Richardson to convince them to overturn Healy?s veto of the Dec. 19 ordinance.

?Please let them know there is no reason for them to oppose stricter ethics laws in Jersey City,? Fulop?s email reads.

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