New Pay-to-Play Ordinance Adopted at Committee Meeting

The Middletown Township Committee claims to have “leveled the playing field” with the passing of the new pay-to-play ordinance which promotes the disclosure of donations given to political candidates.

Despite multiple concerns from the public on the matter, the Township Committee unanimously agreed to go forward with the new ordinance after an hour of debate during the public hearing portion of the meeting.

According to the Township Committee, the purpose of the new ordinance is to “level the playing field” with contributions that are made during elections.

“This is about following suit with what the Monmouth County Freeholders did. This is about making an ordinance that puts everybody on a level playing field, in my opinion, right now, they’re not,” explained Township Mayor Anthony Fiore.

Fiore continued to explain throughout the public hearing that this ordinance did not have anything to do with being anti-union. He also said that if money contributed was documented where it came from, the Committee would not be voting through another ordinance.

Residents who opposed the new ordinance took their turns addressing the Committee. Main concerns expressed included unclear language in the ordinance, being anti-union and for being ineffective.

“I don’t understand why you are getting rid of the other ordinance,” said Jim Grenafege, of Middletown. “…you are specifically going after labor unions, collective bargaining and that is what this is all about and to that extent you are basically beating drums to make it sound like it is an appropriate thing to do.”

The hearing became quite heated at times between the Committee and residents but in the end, the Committee decided to vote through the new ordinance. To see the newly passed ordinance, click here.