New Jersey's Courier Post urges the state legislature to approve an extension of New Jersey's Clean Elections pilot project, saying the adjustments made since 2005 will encourage greater participation in the system and reduce the influence of big money: "The clean-election program remains a good idea. An effort should be made to lessen the influence of deep-pocket contributors who often use campaign donations to push their special interests with candidates or to gain the inside track on lucrative government contracts."  The Courier also calls on the legislature to take further steps to reduce money's influence on officeholders - like the "pay-to-play" game of trading campaign cash for government contracts.  New Jersey's Clean Elections pilot program was first used in 2005. The bill to extend the pilot project has made progress in the legislature. It has passed the Assembly and on Thursday will be reviewed by the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee before moving to a vote on the Senate floor later this month.