🔴 A fast-moving bill in Trenton would strip investigative powers from the State Comptroller’s Office.
🔴 Top officials strongly oppose the proposal, calling it a threat to government accountability and oversight.
🔴 Controversy centers on new wiretap authority for the SCI, an agency that recently faced leadership turmoil.
TRENTON — Despite massive outcry over the weakening of a key state watchdog, a controversial bill is quickly moving through the state legislature.
Senate President Nick Scutari, D-Union, introduced the bill last week just before the Thanksgiving break. Lawmakers had less than a week to review it and hear from the public before deciding whether to pass it through committee.
Bill S4924 would take investigative powers from the State Comptroller’s Office and give them to the State Commission of Investigation.
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Acting State Comptroller Kevin Walsh said the bill is retribution for the comptroller’s work to hold other state offices accountable. The Senate has refused to confirm Walsh since he was appointed by Gov. Phil Murphy in 2020…