New Jersey lawmakers are retreating from a bill that would weaken the power of the state comptroller’s office following widespread condemnation.

Spokespeople for state Senate President Nicholas Scutari said he would not pursue the legislation he once championed, which would have weakened the comptroller’s ability to investigate corruption and waste. Scutari had no comment Wednesday.

The retreat follows Scutari’s push to squeeze the legislation through a lame-duck session, and follows a pattern of New Jersey's Democratic leaders loosening campaign finance restrictions and limiting transparency in a state notorious for graft and corruption.

The move backfired after U.S. Sen. Andy Kim and state Attorney General Matthew Platkin, both Democrats, led vocal opposition to the bill.

Kim, Platki

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