Topline: New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy used a state expense account to buy almost $12,000 of snacks and drinks at stadium events in 2018 and 2019, including almost $1,000 at a Taylor Swift concert, according to a recent report by Politico.
Key facts: New Jersey’s budget gives the governor an annual $95,000 expense account for “official expenses,” which cannot include “personal purposes.”
That didn’t stop Murphy from racking up food bills at MetLife Stadium, home of the New York Jets and Giants in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Murphy used taxpayer money at six different MetLife events, including almost $3,000 at a U.S. vs. Mexico soccer game. Purchases included $90 worth of Aquafina water, $45 for extra guacamole and $936 of snacks at Swift’s “Reputation” tour, Politico found.
A spokesperson said Murphy originally paid for the food with his own money and expected to be reimbursed by New Jersey’s Democratic State Committee. When that did not happen, the state “stepped up” to cover the costs, the spokesperson said.
Now that attention is on the issue, Murphy’s office is asking the Democratic State Committee to reimburse taxpayers for the cost.
Murphy also spent $280,000 since 2018 on food for receptions at the governor’s mansion, Politico reported. Another $100,000 went toward renovating the windows, bathrooms and more at the mansion.
One $3,000 dinner was hosted at Murphy’s personal home, and records do not indicate how the meal was related to government business.
Background: Murphy’s snacking spree is, sadly, in line with New Jersey tradition. Former Gov. Chris Christie was caught spending almost $83,000 at MetLife Stadium back in 2015, making gluttony, oddly, a bipartisan issue.
The food may have not made a huge dent in the state’s finances, but overall spending has increased almost every year since Murphy took office in 2018.
New Jersey paid $61.4 billion to outside vendors in 2018. Last year, the state spent $86.2 billion, including $23 billion in grants awarded, according to OpenTheBooks.com.
Spending topped out at nearly $99 billion in 2021.
Summary: Perhaps one extravagant night at MetLife Stadium doesn’t quite qualify Murphy as a “Swiftie,” but taxpayers would likely prefer to buy tickets for themselves rather than fund $12,000 of their governor’s stadium concessions.
The #WasteOfTheDay is brought to you by the forensic auditors at OpenTheBooks.com
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