Governor Corzine Executes "Pay to Play" Ban On Redevelopers

Effective November, 15, 2008, New Jersey redevelopment entities are prohibited from entering into redeveloment agreements with any private redeveloper that has made a contribution to a candidate, committee or election fund of any candidate for any State public office, including candidates for the office of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, party committee, legislative committee or legislative office in any State legislative district, county or municipality in which any property subject to redevelopment is located.  Executive Order #118, signed by Governor Jon Corzine on September 24, 2008, was issued in an effort to protect the integrity of government contracual decisions and to “increase the public’s confidence in government by prohibiting the awarding of government contracts to business entities that also are contributors to certain candidates and political parties”.    The Order further requires redevelopers to report all contributions made to candidates during the four-year period preceding 2008. 

The full text of Executive Order #118 is available on the official website for the State of New Jersey.