N.J. lawmaker wants transparency from companies getting state help

A New Jersey lawmaker wants companies that get financial help from the state to disclose their political donations.

Legislation sponsored by Assemblyman Tim Eustace, D-Bergen, would require companies in New Jersey that get $25,000 or more in state tax credits or subsidies to publicly disclose their campaign contributions.

He says he introduced the legislation in reaction to the “Citizens United” Supreme Court ruling that prohibited the government from restricting independent political expenditures by corporations and unions.

“The idea that you can see who’s donating and you can figure out why they’re donating is a nice change in a positive direction,” he said “The $5 and $10 donors in a small town don’t want their rights taken away by somebody who can funnel thousands to millions of dollars into campaigns.”

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No legislative hearings have been scheduled on the measure, but Eustace is optimistic about its chances of being approved.

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