SENATOR RICE : WHEN AGENCIES’ RESPONSIBILITIES OVERLAP, IT WASTES TAXPAYER DOLLARS

TRENTON – The Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee, chaired by Senator Ronald L. Rice, D-Essex, today held a hearing where they heard testimony from the State Auditor, Inspector General, the State Commission of Investigation and the State Comptroller regarding each agency’s operations and responsibilities in regards to affordable housing oversight.

“The goal of today’s hearing was to get an idea of what departments handle specific functions in terms of affordable housing plans and requirements. Over the last 22 years that I’ve been in government, I’ve heard complaints about affordable housing, and much of the red tape and waste involved with securing it. Anything that is intentionally done that hinders our residents from securing safe, affordable housing is wrong. No one should not be given the run around, regardless of where they live – especially when their tax dollars are paying our salaries.

“These departments cannot continue to be selective with enforcement because we end up in the situation we’re in now – we thought we had made a difference in terms of enforcement and oversight, but the same things keep happening, both internally and overtly.

“We have these agencies and to handle the various needs of the public, but when their responsibilities overlap, it just wastes the time and hard-earned dollars of New Jersey’s taxpayers.”

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