Jeff Brindle, executive director of the state Election Law Enforcement Commission, said governments spent less on lobbying because of Christie's ban, increased media coverage of the practice, and cuts to municipal aid from the state
TRENTON — Last year, Gov. Chris Christie condemned local government agencies for shelling out nearly $2 million in public dollars on lobbyists to try to sway state government, and banned state commissions and authorities from hiring firms to pitch their cause.
It had an impact. Reports released today showed the money spent by local governments on lobbying Trenton was cut in half to about $975,000.
Jeff Brindle, executive director of the state Election Law Enforcement Commission, said governments spent less on lobbying because of Christie’s ban, increased media coverage of the practice and cuts to municipal aid from the state.
But Brindle said the report may not show the full picture of government-on-government lobbying because towns are not required to show how much they spend. The numbers come from lobbyists, who are only required to disclose state-level lobbying.
"My belief is that there’s a significant amount of lobbying that goes on at the local level, which is why we a year ago proposed that type of activity be required to be disclosed," said Brindle.
Newark spent more than any other government on lobbying the state, shelling out $213,500 — $25,500 more than in 2009.
"As New Jersey’s largest city, Newark has a significant amount of business before the state in areas ranging from the municipal budget to economic development to urban agriculture," said Newark spokeswoman Esmeralda Diaz Cameron.
The Passaic Valley Sewerage Commissioners, which was specifically mentioned by Christie when he enacted his ban, spent $46,000 on lobbying, down from $182,000 in 2009. Wayne Forrest, appointed as executive director last July to reform the authority, said it stopped hiring lobbyists before he arrived.
The reports said the Burlington County Bridge Commission spent $44,000 on lobbying, but commission solicitor Carmen Saginario said it was paid at the end of 2009, and the check may have been cashed in 2010. Saginario said the firm was hired to consult on economic development. "They were not hired as lobbyist," he said.
Elizabeth spent $4,500 to monitor bills affecting Urban Enterprise Zones last year — a quarter of what it spent in 2009. "It was clear that the governor’s intent was to eliminate the program, therefore we saw no need to continue using a lobbying firm for the urban enterprise zones," said city spokesman William Reyes.
Essex County paid $30,000 to track legislation and lobby for grant dollars. "Prior to me coming here there used to be all kinds of lobbyists," said Essex County Executive Joe DiVincenzo, who has a close relationship with Christie. "I eliminated and continued to cut because I’m the lobbyist here."
By Matt Friedman and Chris Megerian/Statehouse Bureau
