TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senators Barbara Buono and Linda R. Greenstein that would ensure even in an emergency, state contracts would be publicly advertised and bid and must follow the state’s pay-to-play laws was approved today by the Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism and Historic Preservation Committee.
“In the Aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, The Governor awarded a multi-million dollar contract to AshBritt, a firm with deep-Republican Party ties, without any attempt at negotiating the price for services to protect taxpayer dollars – even though AshBritt has said they would have been willing to negotiate,” said Senator Buono, D-Middlesex. “Without question, it was necessary for swift and thorough clean-up after such a disastrous storm as Sandy, but with an open and transparent process, we can be sure that relief funds are being spent efficiently and appropriately.”