Garden State Times

Senator Michael Testa has formally requested an explanation from members of the Murphy administration regarding funding for a project in Middlesex County. The senator's inquiry comes after it was revealed that $193 million in budget line items were allocated to a single project in Edison Township.

The details emerged following a report by Katie Sobko of NorthJersey.com, which highlighted that these funds were directed towards one large-scale development while financial aid to schools and municipalities across New Jersey was reduced.

In his letter, Senator Testa expressed his concerns: "At budget hearings held by the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee over the past three years, I asked each of you to explain one or more of the 18 attached special line items totaling $193 million scattered amongst your departments in the State Budget... I am outraged after learning from news reports that all $193 million of the 18 special line items went to a county project in Edison Township—with $153 million unconstitutionally funded from the Property Tax Relief Fund, in part to build a new county baseball stadium… with VIP luxury boxes, multiple party decks, a massive jumbotron, and a bar."

The senator's letter seeks clarity on how these decisions were made and calls into question their constitutionality given that part of the funding originated from the Property Tax Relief Fund.

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