The state Economic Development Authority on Wednesday approved covering $420,000 of the production costs for the hit reality series' inaugural 2009 season.
Assemblyman Declan O'Scanlon told the Statehouse Bureau of The Star-Ledger of Newark and The Record newspaper he can't believe taxpayers are paying "for fake tanning for `Snooki' and `The Situation."'
The show centers on the cast living it up along the beach and boardwalk in Seaside Heights.
Seaside Heights Mayor P. Kenneth Hershey says the local economy gets a boost when the cast is in the town.
Gov. Chris Christie suspended the film tax credit program in 2010 to close a budget deficit.
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Information from: The (Newark) Star-Ledger and The (Woodland Park) Record, http://www.nj.com/starledger and http://www.northjersey.com