State Of New Jersey Awards 'Transitional Aid' To Nine Cities

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – The Christie administration is doling out over $139 million in state aid to nine distressed cities across the Garden State.

Camden will be getting the lion's share, $69 million, of Transitional Aid to Localities. Another $1.4 million is going to Lawnside, Camden County and $850,000 to Bridgeton. But it comes with strings attached.

Hollie Gilroy with the department of community affairs says each town will have to sign a memorandum of understanding with the state, "The memorandum actually prescribes certain steps that the towns and cities need to do to show compliance and that they are trying to eliminate their dependence upon state aid."

They include strict state oversight and reporting progress on a regular basis. Failure to comply with the new rules could cost towns 25 percent of their grant.

Reported By David Madden, KYW Newsradio