photo New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Trenton NJ, Donald J. President Trump has only been in the White House for a month, but New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin has already filed several lawsuits on behalf of the state to fight Trump’s funding-related orders and the Department of Government Efficiency – all while New Jersey approaches a fiscal cliff. The irony is not lost on Assemblyman Robert Auth who says Platkin needs to start combatting the out-of-control government spending in New Jersey instead of focusing on the feds.
“Platkin has no authority over the White House, but wastes his time, energy, and taxpayer dollars filing lawsuits over how the executive branch reviews discretionary spending. He is fighting government efficiency, which may explain how New Jersey got into the mess we are in,” Auth (R-Bergen) said. “He is paid by New Jersey and needs to be focused on New Jersey. He should initiate audits on all the reckless spending at home.”
Auth cited New Jersey Turnpike Authority’s new $1.7 billion E-ZPass contract, NJ Transit’s new $506 million offices, unchecked infrastructure costs and the $728 million in legislative add-ons to Gov. Phil Murphy’s last budget, as examples of state spending that should be scrutinized.
“New Jersey is spending more than it takes in, and from the looks of things, spending more than it needs to,” Auth said.
The new E-ZPass contract is reportedly $250 million more than the bid by the company that’s been operating the tolling system for the past two decades. Another transportation agency, NJ Transit, chose to move its offices for $506 million, and lease 125 parking spaces for $44,000 per month, instead of spending $180 million to renovate two buildings it owned.
“It is mind boggling how state agencies like the Turnpike Authority and NJ Transit can possibly justify overspending, but it’s worse when the money is wasted on initiatives that do not have any benefit to the taxpayers or commuters,” Auth said. “It’s time we get a peek behind the curtain and look at who is involved in these deals, how they happen and why they cost so much.”
When it comes to infrastructure, New Jersey has the worst of both worlds: high spending and poor roadways, according to the latest annual highway report by Reason Foundation. The state’s highway system ranks 44th in the nation in overall cost-effectiveness and condition.
“Two sinkholes in the matter of months along I-80 in Morris County are emblematic of a bigger problem. Despite investing heavily in our roadways, bridges, and rail systems, they are failing. We spend and spend, but commuters are not any safer,” Auth said.
Murphy has increased spending by nearly $22 billion since he took office. The fiscal year 2025 budget was a record $56.6 billion, including $728 million in last-minute legislative add-ons for special projects in politically connected areas. The pork funding includes projects like tennis courts, a water park and yoga.
Murphy’s state spending has outpaced revenues despite increasing more than 60 taxes and fees during his tenure. The current budget included a structural deficit of $2.1 billion. The latest revenue projections increase that deficit to more than $3.8 billion for fiscal year 2026.
“Republicans have consistently warned New Jersey is quickly approaching a fiscal cliff. That cliff is only getting steeper,” Auth said. “Internal audits, like what DOGE is doing on the federal level, can save taxpayers money and rein in costs. Platkin needs to take a page out of Trump’s book instead of taking him to court.”
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unelected bureaucrat with a political agenda that he carries out for the carpetbagger ex- goldman sachs out-of-touch millionaire governor who bought his job
It’s not a waste. Elonia is an unelected, unvetted and unsupervised quasi government employee with financial conflicts of interest
All appointees of the president are unelected.
Try another line of attack.
This one makes you look like an uneducated moron.
NJ is corrupt as the Biden/Obama administration!
NJ, vote Republican. Give it a try. Democrats have not worked out, at all. Can you name a single accomplishment? One?