As reported by nj.com, officials had considered disbanding or reducing the size of the full-time, Franklin Township Police Department in favor of contracting police service from a neighboring municipality, one of a string of changes being considered to help control taxes. “We’ve reached an agreement to keep our police department for this budget
April 2011
NJ Lawmakers Near Vote To Eliminate Early-Release Prison Program
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
As reported by nj.com, lawmakers moved toward eliminating the state’s controversial early-release program, which allows some inmates out of prison six months ahead of schedule. Governor Chris Christie and some lawmakers have blamed the program for two homicides allegedly committed by inmates released early.
Christie accelerated the program’s repeal with a conditional veto …
NJ Supreme Court Bans Police Officers From Destroying Notes on Interviews, Crime Scene Observations
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
As reported by nj.com, the New Jersey Supreme Court prohibited law enforcement officers from destroying the notes they take while interviewing witnesses, victims and suspects, saying defense attorneys should be allowed to view them so they can challenge official police reports.
The decision, by a divided court, addresses the decades-old struggle in New …
Rev. Al Sharpton Criticizes Governor Christie
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
As reported by nj.com, the Reverend Al Sharpton stepped into New Jersey’s budget battle, joining a chorus of union leaders criticizing Governor Chris Christie’s economic policies and urging New Jerseyans to push back against a nationwide campaign to weaken organized labor. At rallies in Newark, Trenton, and Vineland, Sharpton said the state would …
Newark’s Murder and Violent Crime Rates Increase Amid Police Layoffs
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
As reported by nj.com, three fatal shootings in the last two days pushed Newark’s homicide total to 29 this year, a 71 percent jump in killings compared with the same period in 2010, as violent crime surges following police layoffs. Between January 1 and April 17, Newark has seen marked increases in homicides, shootings, …
Nest Egg is Missing for NJ Public Worker Retirees
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
As reported by nj.com, New Jersey’s price tag for public-worker retirement health benefits is higher than any state in the nation, according to a study to be released by the Pew Center on the States. New Jersey has promised $66.7 billion in medical benefits to future and current retirees, but has not set …
Move on NJ Health Plan May Cost Towns But Help Power Broker
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
As reported by nytimes.com, in the last three years, hundreds of cities, towns and school districts in New Jersey have saved tens of millions of dollars on health insurance by dumping their private carriers and switching to a little-known benefits program run by the state. But now one of the state’s most powerful …
Sweeney, Oliver Meet With Unions To Talk Health Care
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
As reported by nj.com, Democratic leaders met with union officials and sources say the topic was overhauling health benefits. Senate President Steve Sweeney and Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver met with the heads of the biggest public employee unions: Communications Workers of America, America Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, International …
Laid-Off, Retired Newark Cops Still Have Not Received Overdue Back Pay
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
As reported by nj.com, when they were laid off by the Newark Police Department last year, Juan Velarde and Stephanie Diaz thought they could make do, at least for a while, with unemployment checks and the $3,900 they were owed in back pay from the city. The couple celebrated the birth of their first child …
Christie Estimates Changes in Employee Benefits Will Save $870M Per Year
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
As reported by nj.com, Governor Chris Christie estimates his plan to overhaul the state’s public employee health benefits system will save more than $870 million a year by 2014 by shifting significant percentage of the costs to employees and future retirees, according to the Treasury Department.
In the most detailed explanation of the …