From the "WTF!" files - in case you were wondering how the C19 relief money gets spent – try and hitch a ride in one of these 8 little beauties owned by New Jersey

A little dated (late January 2023), from here:

Murphy administration bought eight new SUVs — at a cost of $521K — with federal Covid funds - POLITICO

“Murphy administration bought eight new SUVs — at a cost of $521K — with federal Covid funds

The eight Chevrolet Suburbans are for use by the Executive Protection Unit,.”

“The $521,783 expenditure by Gov. Phil Murphy’s administration — in this case the New Jersey State Police, which is responsible for transportation and security of high-ranking state officials — was one of 46 outlined in a state Treasury department memo to the Joint Budget Oversight Committee (JBOC) about the use of $200 million in federal rescue funds included in the Fiscal Year 2022 budget passed in June 2021.”

One of 46? 46 expenditures?

Well, why wouldn’t you, right? If your boss set these sorts of limits on your expense account:

“The administration was permitted to make unilateral spending decisions regarding the American Rescue Plan funds for appropriations of less than $10 million, for up to $200 million total.”

A million here, a million there, pretty soon you have a slush fund that looks remarkably like a criminal racket.

I am sure residents of New Jersey are all sticking their thumbs out hoping to catch a ride with the elite they elected.

From here:

$520K In COVID Funds Spent On SUVs For Murphy Administration | Across New Jersey, NJ Patch

"Really? 10K families who lost loved ones would disagree," State Sen. Ed Durr (R-3) tweeted in response to the treasury's explanation for the purchases.”

“State Sen. Michael Testa (R-1) called the SUV purchases "despicable."

"It’s disturbing that Governor Murphy and Democrat leaders chose to spend pandemic relief funds to buy new SUVs for the State Police to chauffeur them around the state," Testa said in a statement. "Instead of putting the billions in unspent relief funds that have sat idle in state accounts for two years to effective use, Democrats prioritized their own comfort and convenience over helping people."

Which, of course, means that the funds spent on these toys, will remain spent on these toys and anyone who is suffering from the issues that were meant to be covered will stay suffering.

But wait, there’s more!

“Most of the 45 listed items include funds for county health departments, hospitals and first responders. Some of the expenditures included:

$10 million for the Department of Labor's Return and Earn Program — a $500 incentive for unemployed individuals re-entering the workforce.

$20 million for Phases I and II of the Excluded New Jerseyans Fund, which supported low-income households excluded from COVID-relief programs.

$10 million to assist residents facing foreclosures.

$10 million for license-plate-recognition technology, announced last April to address the rise in car thefts.

$7 million for gunshot-detection technology, used to help first responders quickly render aid and for police to identify shooters.

$10 million to support local and regional fire departments.

$9.2 million to "ensure appropriate staffing at voting locations throughout the state," by raising the daily rate for poll workers from $200 to $300 in the 2021 general election.

$5 million on baby formula for families in need throughout the state during the shortage.

$6.5 million on a school-mapping initiative used to enhance safety and help law enforcement respond to emergencies.”

Ok, so nothing to do with C19 relief - probably everything to do with grift and vote buying.

If you or I attempted this level of crime (and did not vote for the Democratic Party) we would be locked up faster than you could say “Can I have a ride to the hospital, please? I have chest pains.”

Onwards!

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