The Murphy administration has not provided detailed information on contracts or expenses related to the pandemic, but senior budget officials estimated the state has spent close to $200 million on coronavirus expenses.

The full text of the letter is below:

Dear Treasurer:

The tremendous loss of revenue due to the economic shutdown has devastated personal income and state revenue long-term. The additional expenses the state has made to fight Covid-19 only increases the budgetary problems New Jersey faces. Understanding the effect of those costs on state finances is imperative for legislators to make informed decisions in this extended fiscal year and next fiscal year.

In the budget hearing last week, your staff stated that expenses related to Covid-19 are over $300 million, with approximately $200 million for the Office of Emergency Management. It is our understanding that most, if not all, of this spending could be reimbursed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

We respectfully request a detailed itemization of spending related to Covid-19 thus far, how much the state is expected to spend on Covid-19 related costs, and how much is expected to be reimbursed by FEMA.

Transparency and coordination is paramount to good governance, particularly in extraordinary times when executive power is increased.