New Jersey’s state treasurer declined to appear before the Assembly budget committee to answer questions about the funding for recovery from Hurricane Sandy. The chairman of the committee now plans to pursue a subpoena to force the treasurer to testify.
 

Assemblyman Vinnie Prieto wants Treasurer Andrew Eristoff to detail the Christie administration’s plans for federal Sandy aid.
 

“What are the components it’s going to be? How’s it going to be distributed? Is it going to need matching funds? Is it going to need legislative approval? So many, many questions not a lot of answers because he chose not to come.”
 

Preito wants the treasurer to provide more information about the state’s $100 million contract with the Florida company AshBritt to clean up Sandy debris.
 

 “This company I think uses a lot of subs. So are they a middle man? Are we paying for a middle man? Couldn¹t we have done that cheaper hiring New Jersey companies? Our employment is 9.6 percent. We want to get these people back to work.”

The Christie administration has stood by AshBritt, saying it was getting paid a premium because the company could remove debris quickly.  It has also pointed out that towns are free to do the work on their own.