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Democrats push advocacy group to disclose donors

TRENTON - Senate Democrats Wednesday said they would introduce a measure to force the advocacy group Reform Jersey Now to disclose donors and abide by state pay-to-play laws.

TRENTON - Senate Democrats Wednesday said they would introduce a measure to force the advocacy group Reform Jersey Now to disclose donors and abide by state pay-to-play laws.

Several of Gov. Christie's advisers are affiliated with the organization, and the Republican governor attended a $25,000-a-plate event this week that it hosted.

"Groups like Reform Jersey Now are simply fronts for their political parties, so they should be treated just like an arm of a political party," said State Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D., Gloucester).

As a 501(c)4 organization, the nonprofit is not required to disclose its donors, who can give unlimited amounts. But the group's main purpose must be a mission other than seeking to influence elections.

The website describes the group as "an independent New Jersey nonprofit organization established to promote public policies that create more jobs and economic growth in New Jersey."

Critics say the unlimited and undisclosed contributions skirt state laws created to stop the awarding of lucrative government contracts to political donors. State agencies cannot award contracts worth more than $17,500 to companies that donate more than $300 to gubernatorial candidates or to county or state political parties.

The governor said Tuesday that he was not responsible for the group, but was glad for the help countering the attacks and the millions of dollars that labor unions have made or spent against him.

"This has nothing to do with campaign finance, so let's not confuse the two. There are no campaigns going on right now," Christie said.

"As long as these groups operate within the law, that's fine by me. If people want to change the law, I'm happy to consider changes to the law that are fair and that level the playing field for everyone."

The group appeared about a month ago when it aired radio spots in support of Christie's budget. Spokesman Mike DuHaime, a former consultant on Christie's campaign, said the group voluntarily would release a list of donors by the end of the year.

The group Save Our State helped Democratic Gov. Jon S. Corzine push a failed plan to lease out the New Jersey Turnpike. After intense criticism, the group released its list of donors.