SAYREVILLE, N.J. — John Wisniewski announced that on Friday, May 12th, he filed suit against Governor Christie and the Economic Development Authority to prevent the New Jersey Statehouse renovation from going forward. The project is a waste of taxpayer money being funded through a series of shell games designed to circumvent the New Jersey Constitution.

Estimated costs for the Statehouse renovation were at one time $38 million which ballooned to $300 million and before the restoration even begins new projections say it may go over $750 million.

The shell game begins with the State Capitol Joint Management Commission (JMC) leasing the Statehouse for just $1 to the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA). The EDA then leases the Statehouse right back to the JMC. The whole purpose of this runaround is to enable the Management Commission to disguise debt payments as rent payments, rent payments on a building the people already own. It doesn’t pass the smell test, and it doesn’t adhere to the laws of New Jersey.

“The idea that the Statehouse is being rented out to circumvent the constitution is the kind of entrenched big boss backroom shenanigans that we are fighting to put an end to,” said Wisniewski. “The people’s house is the statehouse and the taxpayers should not be forced to pay hundreds of millions of dollars without their consent. I will do everything in my power to stop this, filing this suit is just the first step.”

“Nothing exemplifies what’s wrong with New Jersey more than Chris Christie renting the people’s house out for a buck.” said Wisniewski. “I am fighting to stop this ridiculous project that will cost taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars. The people of New Jersey are fed up with cigar-filled backroom deals that only make money for Trenton insiders.”

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