Testa demands state control over Newark’s finances after $52M in aid

TRENTON, N.J. – A New Jersey lawmaker is calling on Gov. Phil Murphy to place Newark under state financial oversight after the city received $52 million in special state aid across two years without applying for the Transitional Aid program required by law.

In a letter sent Tuesday, Sen. Michael Testa (R-01) blasted the Murphy administration for what he called “gifts” to Newark — $22 million last year and a promised $30 million this year — accusing the city of evading statutory oversight while running a deficit.

“Apparently, tossing Newark $22 million with no strings attached wasn’t the end of this charade,” Testa wrote. “Your administration recently promised Newark another $30 million ‘loan’ to patch up the current bu

See Full Page