TRENTON - You wonder (to use a football term) if Nick Scutari heard footsteps?

Following strong criticism and a wild and crazy committee meeting last week, the Senate President has pulled a bill that would have weakened the state Comptroller's Office, which investigates wasteful spending, political favoritism and overall general public corruption.

If not footsteps, perhaps Scutari heard Mikie Sherrill.

The gov-elect said this after the bill was yanked from consideration.

"I ran on accountability and transparency and was clear that I would not support any effort to weaken oversight. I look forward to working with the Legislature to deliver effective, accountable government for the people of New Jersey on the mandate they gave us.”

One does not know for sure, but perhaps Sherrill made her feelings known to the Senate President she did not want this bill.

The plan would have shifted the Comptroller's investigatory duties to the State Commission of Investigation. That sounded plausible, but not when you realize the SCI has not been very active of late.

The bill may be history, but the hubbub it created may just be getting started.

The aforementioned committee meeting saw the chairman, Sen. James Beach of Camden County, refuse to allow U.S. Sen. Andy Kim to speak at the start of the hearing. Doing so is generally considered common courtesy for a fellow lawmaker.

Beach at one point said Kim wasn't "special" when others in the audience asked him about it.

Kim responded to the demise of the bill.

“This is a win for the people of New Jersey and a signal of the power of a growing anti-corruption movement throughout our state and this country,” he said in a statement. “As I’ve said before, the opposite of democracy is apathy. Do not feel helpless about fixing our broken politics. It isn’t just possible, it’s necessary. Now let’s get ready for the next fights.”

The "next" fight may be against Beach himself.

A short while later, Kim said he would lead the fight by supporting challengers "against State Senator James Beach and other elected officials who continue to fuel corrupt machine politics in NJ."

Guess Kim does not think Beach is all that special either.