The New Jersey League of Conservation Voters and Food & Water Action, two leading New Jersey environmental advocacy groups, applauded the decision of District Court Judge Brian Martinotti to issue an injunction today preventing the implementation of the unconstitutional and damaging new disclosure law.
“Disclosure rules must treat everyone fairly,” said Ed Potosnak, Executive Director of the New Jersey League of Conservation Voters. “As we’ve consistently advocated from the beginning, this law raises many constitutional concerns and unfairly targets grassroots political advocacy groups while allowing shadowy special interests to continue operating in the shadows.”
Potosnak continued, “The law would have tipped the scales in favor of polluters and special interests in Trenton by unfairly targeting citizen-driven grassroots groups that advocate for women’s health, criminal justice reform, and environmental protection.”
The law would have required these organizations to disclose donors while exempting trade associations like the Chamber of Commerce and the Petroleum Institute from the disclosure rules.
Food & Water Action joined in applauding Judge Martinotti’s ruling.
“This decision is a win for the environment,” said Senior Organizer Matt Smith. “New Jersey cannot afford to have politicians giving the polluters a pass while forcing environmental advocates to meet unfair standards. The ruling protects advocates and prevents polluters from gaining undue advantage in influencing policy.”
“We want to work with the Legislature on passing a fix to this flawed legislation that advances the goal of increasing transparency in our election process while creating a level playing field in Trenton,” Smith continued.