New Jersey's Courier Post has given the state's Clean Elections program quite positive coverage so it's a little disappointing to see this article's headline that gets a little Chicken Little about the future of the Clean Elections pilot program.

The Courier-Post weighs in on what the ramifications of the Supreme Court ruling on the Millionaire's Amendment might be for the New Jersey Clean Elections program.  Sen Bill Baroni (R), a fervent backer of Clean Elections, criticizes the decision that "certainly does nothing to advance the cause of cleaning up politics."  The 2007 cycle of the state's Clean Elections program was very successful -- a good counterweight to any arguments for it being significantly altered.

Papers in New Jersey and Alaska are rallying behind Clean Elections, and the Albany Times-Union runs an op-ed urging New York Governor David Patterson and the state legislature to advance public financing of elections. Is it my birthday?

The next round of Clean Elections in New Jersey is likely to be an expanded version of 2007's pilot program, an may include primaries, as well as equal funding for third party candidates. This would be the third cycle where Clean Elections funding is available for some legislative offices. The Courier Post has more.

Will New Jersey's Election Law Enforcement Commission feel the squeeze of budget cuts and workforce reduction? If Governor Jon Corzine's (D) budget is any indication, the agency which is responsible for oversight of the state's pilot Clean Elections program could see staffing cuts that undermine its ability to fulfill its mission.

New Jersey's Home News Tribune cautions residents against dismissing the Clean Elections pilot program that enjoyed high participation in 2007 because of the cost associated with it, arguing that its value as a tool to control spending and level the playing field among candidates is worth paying for.