TRENTON, N.J. — Assemblywoman Aura Dunn said she attempted to restore funding for opioid addiction prevention and treatment programs after what she described as a diversion of settlement dollars, but her motion to amend a $128.25 million spending bill was blocked by Democrats.
Dunn, a Morris County Republican, raised the issue as lawmakers considered A6319, which she said directs spending outside the traditional budget process. Her amendment to restore funding for opioid addiction services failed on a 41-26 vote, she said.
Dunn said $45 million in opioid settlement funds paid by pharmaceutical companies was shifted away from addiction programs and redirected to items included in the bill, including World Cup-related marketing and other projects.
“Tens of millions for marketing and promotion tied to the World Cup. Millions more for projects added with little detail and no public vetting. Meanwhile, the very programs designed to save lives from opioid addiction remain underfunded,” Dunn (R-Morris) said. “Let me be clear: the World Cup will be just fine. Marketing the most popular sporting event on Earth does not require opioid settlement dollars. But you know who does? The families fighting addiction.”
Dunn also criticized the fiscal year 2026 budget, saying it reduced funding for opioid prevention and treatment, child care assistance and public schools. She said lawmakers should prioritize restoring those cuts when adding new spending.
“I ask every member in this body to restore funding to the opioid programs that were cut. It puts dollars back where they were promised. It says, ‘Saving Lives matters more than political convenience.’ This is about trust. Trust in our budget process. Trust in our commitments. And trust with the people we represent,” Dunn said.
