New from me: A POLITICO examination of last-minute spending additions tucked into New Jersey’s three most recent state budgets found lawmakers directed state funds to entities where they have personal ties. One lawmaker successfully requested taxpayer funds for her part-time employer. Another lawmaker steered state money to a nonprofit founded and run by his aunt — a grant worth roughly four times the organization’s annual revenue. And other lawmakers sent money to local governments where they’re on the payroll — or have financial ties. Read more @politico: