State election finance officials say New Jersey's six legislative fundraising committees have brought in much less compared to the last time the Assembly was at the top of the ticket.

The state Election Law Enforcement Commission said Monday that the groups have brought in $3.9 million and spent $3.6 million through September ahead of the Nov. 3 election.

The Democratic and Republican state parties and legislative committees had brought in $5.7 million and spent nearly $4.8 million at this time in 1999.

That's about a 50 percent decrease adjusting for inflation.

ELEC Executive Director Jeff Brindle says that tight contribution limits on state contractors adopted since 2005, and federal campaign finance reforms have contributed to the decrease.

ELEC has proposed adjusting limits for inflation, allowing contractors to make larger contributions and making independent groups follow the same disclosure laws.

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