BY MICHAEL HAYNE

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

When it comes time to get their fiscal business in order, politicians suddenly become big-time drug dealers when the DEA comes knocking on the door — taking whatever desperate and knee-jerk measures they can. Cigarettes are usually their favorite target since they get to find a convenient scapegoat to balance the budget while simultaneously looking like heroes of public health who care about the people. But sometimes the culprit isn't always as smooth and unproblematic.

Tempers flared as the state's top housing regulator authorized the Christie administration to seize $140 million that towns set aside for affordable housing obligations in order to balance the budget. The Council on Affordable Housing, an agency that Christie sought to destroy, met this past Wednesday for the first time in many years to discuss the plans. The meeting almost became a Russian Parliamentary session as affordable housing advocates sparred with administration officials.

For the part of affordable housing advocates and local officials, the money — which is collected through fees on developers — is vital for post-Sandy reconstruction, and contending that the dysfunction on the council was retarding New Jersey’s recovery. For example, it seems that a sizable chunk of the money comes from towns hit the hardest by Superstorm Sandy.

“If you have a problem, file a lawsuit,” shouted Community Affairs Commissioner Richard Constable, saying the administration had complied with the Open Public Meetings Act. (NorthJersey.com)

That seems to be precisely what they're doing. Middle Township in Cape May County, for example, filed an emergency lawsuit against the state, claiming that a development to include nearly 150 apartments – funded in part through federal storm recovery programs — would be majorly jeopardized.

The Christie Administration, however, seems to think that they have a better use for the funds. For example, Council member John Winterstella said the state would use the money for a variety of affordable housing and rental assistance programs. That doesn't sit well with Michael Cerra, a senior legislative analyst for the New Jersey League of Municipalities, who says that the Christie administration’s move would force towns to raise other taxes to meet their requirements under state law to construct more affordable housing.

“It falls upon the taxpayers,” he said. “That’s bad public policy.”  (NorthJersey.com)