The state of New Jersey awarded nearly $8.2 billion in contracts to private entities—including tens of millions to several law firms—despite a sharp drop in campaign contributions to political candidates caused by the state’s strict pay-to-play laws, according to statistics released April 8 by the state Election Law Enforcement Commission.

Three law firms in New Jersey—DeCotiis, FitzPatrick & Cole in Teaneck; McManimon, Scotland & Baumann in Roseland; and Mount Laurel’s Capehart & Scatchard—all received more than $10 million each in contracts last year, ELEC said.