Republican Senators Demand Transparency from Governor Murphy on $6.2 Billion Federal COVID Grant Spending
Trenton, NJ – January 11, 2025 – Republican members of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee have issued statements demanding that Governor Phil Murphy release a comprehensive accounting of how his administration utilized the $6.2 billion Federal COVID grant received in May 2021.
The Governor, granted unilateral spending authority by the Democrat majority, directed $600 million of the funds without public input or transparency. In the most recent budget, he was further empowered to reallocate funds from previously approved projects to meet the December 31, 2024, federal deadline for obligating the funds.
Allegations of Mismanagement and Lack of Oversight
Senator Declan O’Scanlon, Republican Budget Officer, expressed concern over the Governor’s lack of transparency:
“We have repeatedly asked the Governor to explain how he proposed to use his unilateral spending authority so the public could vet his proposals and provide suggestions for improvement. Instead, he secretly spent the money and refused to explain his final decisions. It raises serious red flags about whether COVID funds have been used responsibly and fairly.”
Senator Michael Testa criticized specific expenditures, stating:
“While Republicans were calling for more of this aid to help small businesses destroyed by the Governor’s forced closures three years ago, the Governor was quietly shoveling money out the door. He gave $4,000 cash payments to undocumented immigrants and criminals who were let out of prison early, bought new SUVs for himself and his cabinet members, and created a whole new bureaucracy to force apartment buildings to accept criminals as tenants. That’s just what we know about, and he is hiding several hundred million more of unchecked spending.”
Senator Steinhardt highlighted missed opportunities to support education:
“Hundreds of schools across the State had their aid slashed while Republicans called for the federal grants to prevent school reductions during a time of crisis. Instead, the Governor designated federal funding for the Pompidou Arts Museum in Jersey City and other frivolous projects. Let’s hope this time we don’t learn his latest spending binge hasn’t been more of the same.”
Calls for Accountability
Republican lawmakers are calling for a full accounting of the Governor’s spending decisions, emphasizing the impact on taxpayers and public services. Senator Amato summed up their concerns:
“The public has a right to know how the Governor spent hundreds of millions of dollars of federal grants while schools and municipalities had their aid cut and property taxpayers had to pick up the slack or lose important services.”
The Republicans argue that the lack of transparency undermines public trust and raises questions about whether the funds were used to address the most pressing needs during the pandemic.
Reference News :- Senate GOP budget members demand Gov. Murphy divulge $6.2B spending plan of federal COVID funds
