Estimating that the practice of pay-to-play costs New Jersey taxpayers about $1 billion annually, state Sen. Leonard Lance has challenged Gov. Corzine to support a Republican-sponsored bill banning the practice at all levels of government.

"The governor remains committed to a pay-to-play ban at all levels," according to Corzine spokesman Brendan Gilfillan. "We will have to review this specific bill" before commenting on its merits, Gilfillan said.