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Prieto: Time to Subpoena Treasurer

Treasurer’s Refuses to Appear at Assembly Budget Panel to Discuss Sandy Funding

(TRENTON) – Assembly Budget Chairman Vincent Prieto (D-Hudson/Bergen) released the following statement Thursday after state Treasurer Andrew P. Sidamon-Eristoff failed to appear before the Assembly Budget Committee to discuss Hurricane Sandy relief funding:

“The treasurer’s failure to appear today to discuss concerns about the administration’s usage of Sandy relief funding is an absolute insult to the people of New Jersey. The taxpayers deserve answers to the many questions about whether this money is being spent properly with firms such as AshBritt, but instead they get political gamesmanship. That is unacceptable.
“The treasurer is being disrespectful to this committee, but most concerning, he’s being disrespectful to the taxpayers who pay his salary and benefits and expect him to do his job and provide answers to basic questions.
“This is the fourth time in recent months that the treasurer has failed to appear before this committee to discuss important issues. My patience has evaporated.
“I will be drafting the required resolution to authorize this committee to subpoena the treasurer and compel his appearance. The treasurer’s refusal to cooperate has left us with no choice.
“I expect all members of the Assembly to support this resolution. Legislative oversight and checks-and-balances are cornerstones of our democracy, and any Assembly member who does not support those concepts needs to rethink their obligation to the taxpayers.”