New Jersey Democrats give up scheme to disempower State watchdog agency, at least for now

Dec. 10, 2025

State Senate President Nicholas Scutari (D-N.J.) will drop his plan to remove some investigatory powers from the State Comptroller. The plan follows growing criticism, including a tumultuous public hearing at which opponents testified against the plan. The State Comptroller's Office has been at the centre of multiple investigations into allegations of corruption that have reflected poorly on powerholders.

Further Reading :

• Democrats Abandon Effort to Defang a Corruption Watchdog in New Jersey [The New York Times]
  Dec. 10, 2025 — The state comptroller has aggressively investigated fiscal misconduct. The Democratic leader of the State Senate had introduced legislation blocking the office from subpoenaing records.
• Scutari pulls plug on bill to reduce state comptroller powers [New Jersey Globe]
  Dec. 9, 2025 — Senate President Nicholas Scutari will drop his plan to transfer some investigatory powers from the state comptroller to the State Commission of Investigation, but remains committed to reestablishing a state inspector general during the legislature’s 2026-27 session.
• Democrats in New Jersey Ram Through Bill to Defang a Corruption Watchdog [The New York Times]
  Dec. 2, 2025 — A State Senate committee moved to weaken an office that investigates police misconduct and government waste. Senator Andy Kim spoke in opposition but was cut off after three minutes.

Key Words :

• Andrew Kim
• Kevin Walsh
• New Jersey Office of the State Comptroller
• New Jersey State Commission of Investigation
• Nicholas Scutari