The attached "Pay to Play" Model Ordinance was drafted for New Jersey Common Cause by New York University’s Brennan Law Center. It would make it illegal for anyone who makes a campaign contribution beyond a small amount to do business with a township. The ordinance is created with the specific goal of ensuring that all its provisions meet with constitutionally mandated principles. That those doing business with a township should not be allowed to make large contributions to the very politicians that hire them is only basic common sense. Don't Forget: These campaigns are being funded with YOUR TAX DOLLARS. To understand this, just FOLLOW THE NICKEL from: YOUR POCKET - to - THE TAX COLLECTOR'S POCKET - to - THE PUBLIC CONTRACTOR OR TOWNSHIP PROFESSIONAL'S INVOICE -to - THE CAMPAIGN FUND OF THE CANDIDATE OR PAC... THAT'S YOUR MONEY !! Enacting this ordinance in your town would have many advantages to the environment and to taxpayers: - The environment wins because the people’s desire for saved open space and lower density zoning will not be drowned out by the financial power of developers, attorneys, architects, and planners who make more money if there is more development. - The public will be assured that the professionals hired by a township are hired for the quality of their work, not for the amount they contribute to a campaign. - Public officials will have more control of their own townships, because they will not be indebted to the very professionals whom they have hired. They will be in a better position to say “no” to those who may attempt to manipulate public policy for the gain of their own firm. - The pressure on your taxes goes down three ways. First, townships will spend your tax dollars more economically if they are focused on merit. Second, the dollars that contractors have been cycling back to the politicians will no longer be written into the contract. Those are, after all, your dollars. Third, less development will mean fewer services to provide. Read the Model Ordinance.