New Jersey Public Safety Officers Law Blog : New Jersey Public Safety Employee Lawyer & Attorney : Pellettieri, Rabstein & Altman Law Firm : Workers Compensation, Discipline Representation for Police & Firefighters : New Jersey

As reported by nj.com, after asserting for months that state employee health benefits will be overhauled through legislation, Governor Chris Christie’s office is now seeking the changes through collective bargaining with the state’s largest employee union.

“He’s out of his cage!” read a memo to Communications Workers of America members obtained by the Star-Ledger, joking about Christie’s comments in March that he was looking forward to collective bargaining. “Let me at them,” Christie said at the time, showing his willingness to go out and negotiate. “Get me out of the cage and let me go.”

At a Statehouse news conference Thursday, Christie called the offer to unions a “good faith effort” but reiterated his desire to have the Legislature pass a bill and force the unions to accept his plan to make them pay 30 percent of the cost of health benefits. “We can chew gum and walk at the same time,” Christie said.

Hetty Rosenstein, the state director for the CWA, said she is optimistic moving forward. “We hope that we can begin to engage in serious negotiations with the governor,” Rosenstein said.

The governor’s initial offer to employees at the bargaining table was nearly identical to the proposal he sent to the Legislature-having workers pay 30 percent of the cost of their insurance premiums, according to the memo. In addition, the administration could increase co-pays for the duration of the four-year contract.

The offer came during the seventh meeting between the CWA and the governor’s office to negotiate a new contract for the 40,000 employees the union represents. The current contract expires on June 30.

“The Senate president has said all along that he believes the governor should at least hear the unions out at the table, so he is very happy with the administration’s action,” said Chris Donnelly, a Senate Democratic spokesman.

Jeff Keefe, a labor professor at Rutgers University, said Christie was probably trying to short-circuit the unfair practice charge recently filed against him by the CWA, since efforts to legislate benefit changes could be halted if PERC sided with the union. “I don’t think they’re going to have any meaningful give and take at the bargaining table,” Keefe said. “He wants to avoid having PERC rule against him. That would throw the whole budget situation up in the air.”

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As reported by nj.com, Governor Chris Christie began bargaining over health benefits for state employees this week, according to a memo sent out to members of the Communications Workers of America obtained by the Star-Ledger.

Christie has been adamant for months that he would obtain changes to employee health benefits through legislation. The new offer, similar to the one he publicly proposed that would require state employees to pay 30 percent of the cost of the insurance premium, came when his staff sat down to negotiate with the CWA, the largest public employee union, on Thursday, according to the memo. The new offer also would allow the state to change the cost of employee co-pays for the life of the four-year contract.   

The CWA has filed a complaint with the Public Employment Relations Commission alleging violations of state employment law when Christie refused to negotiate over health benefits. That complaint is still pending.

“This kind of proposal is regressive and hurts lower paid workers and families,” the memo states. “However, we will continue to bargain health care according to our principles of affordability and maintaining quality care. Now that there is finally a proposal from the state, we will press for real bargaining to take place.”

Christie spokesman Kevin Roberts said they continue to push for legislation to change health benefits. “In keeping with the ongoing collective bargaining process, the Administration presented its proposals on economic issues that are subject to negotiation,” Roberts said in an email. “Gov. Christie’s position is clear on the issue of health benefits reform-bipartisan legislation to accomplish comprehensive changes and achieve savings for taxpayers is the only way real reform of the system will happen. We will continue to work with the Legislature to that effect.”

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As reported by nj.com, Camden officials say they are using a $4.3 million federal grant to rehire 19 police officers. The southern New Jersey city, which ranks among the nation’s poorest and most crime-ridden, laid off 167 officers-nearly half the force-in January as it struggled with a budget crisis. 

The City was able to hire back 55 officers a month ago under a deal with Governor Chris Christie’s administration that provided $2.5 million in state funding to keep them on the payroll through July 1. Mayor Dana Redd has said she expects they will be retained under the new city budget that takes effect on that date.

The 19 additional officers were sworn in on Monday. The City received the funding through a U.S. Justice Department COPS Hiring Program grant.

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As reported by nj.com, five police officers laid off in January were sworn in at Orange City Hall council chambers. The city rehired the officers using money from a federal grant originally meant for new hires, Mayor Eldridge Hawkins, Jr. said.

The officers raised their right hands, then received their badges in a ceremony attended by dozens of city employees and officials. The five men, rejoining the department of almost 100 officers, will start immediately, the mayor said. “It’s a good feeling to be back to work,” Officer David Fanfan, 26, said.

State-aid cuts and a $3 million budget gap forced the layoffs, Orange Police Director John Rappaport said. Orange cut 11 officers in January as part of its 50 proposed layoffs, which included 12 firefighters and other city workers. The officers were brought back using a federal grant called the Community Oriented Policing Services grant that awarded the city $964,000 to hire five officers for three years.

In March, the city was able to rehire 12 laid-off firefighters and add 12 new hires by using $1.2 million in federal grants and negotiating givebacks.

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As reported by nj.com, state workers have begun wearing red arm bands to voice their opposition to proposals that would slash their health benefits. The arm bands are being distributed by the Communications Workers of America, the largest public employee union in New Jersey that represents most of the state’s professional rank and file staff.

The signs read, “CWA Local 1033 Workers, Fighting for Health Care Plus Retirement $ecurity.” The bands are attached with an elastic strip and were spotted on workers in Trenton dressed in business attire.

Hetty Rosenstein, CWA state director, said the arm bands are intended to raise awareness about the proposals. “The armbands are a powerful reminder of what this fight is really about: basic rights for the hardworking men and women who serve New Jersey,” Rosenstein said in a statement. “Governor Christie is trying to take away what every working person deserves—health care they can afford and the ability to retire after a lifetime of work.”

Christie has proposed making state employees pay 30 percent of the cost of health care premiums, a change that would be achieved through legislation. Currently, state workers pay 1.5 percent of their salary toward health benefits.

Christie spokesman Michael Drewniak said the arm bands demonstrate a “disconnect.” “What’s bemusing is that their arm bands say they are fighting for retirement security and lifetime health care benefits,” Drewniak said in a statement. “So are we, because if serious reforms are not instituted, there will be no pension system and dwindling health benefits at best. The CWA’s disconnect and denial with these mathematical certainties is always puzzling.”

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As reported by app.com, New Jersey’s largest state worker union filed an unfair practice charge against Governor Chris Christie’s administration, saying the administration has so far refused to negotiate health care costs. 

The Communication Workers of America filed the charge with the state Public Employment Relations Commission (“PERC”) on May 12, 2011. Union leader Hetty Rosenstein said the union has met six times with the Governor’s staff, but the administration will not respond to CWA’s proposal on health care benefits.

The Republican Governor has made a national name for his fights with union leaders, especially teachers. He has said he wants state workers to pay a greater share of their health care costs and wants to achieve those changes through legislation rather than collective bargaining, while at the same time insisting he “loves collective bargaining.”

“When is Governor I-love-collective-bargaining going to negotiate?” Rosenstein said. Christie Spokesman Kevin Roberts said negotiations are still in the early stages and are ongoing.

The CWA is pushing to reform benefits through collective bargaining rather than legislation and has also put forward a plan. It would have workers continue to pay 1.5 percent of their salary and 8.5 percent of their premium by the fourth and final year of a new contract. It says that would save the state more than $200 million.

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As reported by nj.com, Governor Chris Christie signed a bill into law that will require public workers hired after September 1, from teachers and cops to all local, county and state work employees, to live in New Jersey. New hires outside the state’s borders will have a year from getting a job to pack up and move. Current public workers will not be affected.

New Jersey is the first state in the nation to enact a law mandating a residency requirement for its public employees, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Pennsylvania law requires only its civil service employees to live within the state, according to the New Jersey Senate Majority officials.

“With this law we are simply saying that as matter of policy, when it comes to providing public employment opportunities in New Jersey, we are looking to put our own residents first,” said Senator Donald Norcross, one of the bill’s sponsors. “This will help support our workforce, while at the same time keeping our tax dollars in the state.  This is not only sound public policy, but it makes good economic sense.” 

Christie vetoed an earlier version of the bill in February, but only to seek some technical changes. In his veto message, he noted: “I commend the sponsors for their efforts to increase employment opportunities for New Jersey residents, by ensuring that citizens throughout the state enjoy access to public positions in their communities.” 

Lawmakers agreed with the Governor’s changes to delay the effective date of the law until four months after its enactment, and expand the panel to review hardship requests seeking an exemption from the residency requirement from three to five people.

The law would apply to all public employees, including state, county and municipal governments, boards, agencies, commissions, public schools and universities. But some exemptions will be granted, such as for visiting college professors and other employees “requiring special expertise or extraordinary qualifications in an academic, scientific, technical, professional, or medical field or in administration.” Employees who are required to spend a majority of their time outside New Jersey would also get a pass on the law. Other public employees could apply to a committee for an exemption because of a “critical need or hardship.”

As of mid-January, 5,814, or 8 percent, of the state’s 71,953 employees lived out of state, according to the Department of Treasury, although the law will not apply to anyone who held a job before the measure was enacted. No figures were available for all public workers.

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As reported by nj.com, a plan to layoff more than 100 uniformed City of Trenton police officers is back on the table, Mayor Tony Mack said. Mack confirmed the layoff plan at the end of a town hall meeting with the Chambersburg Civic Association.

“Unfortunately, for us, we will have to layoff 111 police officers,” Mack said, responding to a question from a resident about the possibility of terminations. “We’re in a very, very difficult situation.” Last year, Mack shelved a similar plan to axe 111 officers, but officials said this layoff plan is separate from last year’s plan. 

Layoff plans have to be certified by the state’s Civil Service Commission and submitted to the state’s Department of Community Affairs. According to Eric Berry, the city’s business administrator, the new layoff plan will also include personnel cuts in other city departments. However, he said that, until the new plan is approved by the state, he could not disclose how many people might be affected.

As he said when police layoffs were considered last year, Mack told the crowd the cuts would not affect patrol levels. “We have some of our police officers who are in offices. They physically work in an office,” he said. ‘Those police officers will no longer work in offices, they’ll be on the street patrolling. So the plan that we have in place…will not reduce police presence on the street.”

Mack also added that the city was looking into applying for a grant that could save some police jobs. “Camden got a grant to bring some of their police officers back, so we will apply for that same grant,” he said.  

Camden was able to hire back 19 officers after receiving a $4.3 million federal Community Oriented Policing Services grant. The city laid off 163 officers last year. Other officers were able to come back to the department after the city found other sources of revenue.

Trenton is still ironing out problems from layoffs in 2010. The state Civil Service agency issued a corrective action plan to the city earlier this year to address irregularities in how those terminations were carried out. Under Civil Service rules, some workers have “bumping rights” based on such factors as licensing and seniority, and certain employees must be laid off before others. Berry said those problems should be fixed by May 24, at which point the new layoff plan can be certified.

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As reported by nj.com, the State Police trooper who killed two teenage sisters in a 2006 Cape May County car crash should not collect more than two years of salary he lost while awaiting trial, an administrative judge recommended yesterday.

The trooper, Robert Higbee, was suspended without pay for 27 months and 12 days before being acquitted of vehicular homicide charges. Administrative Law Judge Bruce Gorman recommended an equivalent suspension, which would effectively prevent him from recouping back pay. However, he said Higbee did not need to be fired. 

“Nothing can be gained from terminating the professional life of a potentially valuable public servant,” Gorman wrote. “At the same time, due to the totality of the circumstances of this case, it would be wrong to allow (Higbee) to benefit from this tragedy by paying him public funds for work he did not perform. In light of all the circumstances, such a result would be shocking to a fundamental sense of fairness and contrary to the public interest.” He also wrote, “(Higbee) committed a fundamental breach of duty by failing to familiarize himself with the area he was patrolling.”

Gorman’s ruling goes to State Police Superintendent Rick Fuentes, whose decision can be appealed in state court. Fuentes’ decision is due in 45 days. Higbee’s lawyer said he will urge Fuentes to disregard the judge’s recommendation.

David Jones, president of the State Troopers Fraternal Association, said there’s no precedent for the lengthy suspension the judge recommended. He said it’s based on a flawed understanding of the case. “It’s inconsistent with the transcript, it’s inconsistent with the trial facts, it’s inconsistent with the exhaustive expert testimony,” he said.  

Higbee was on duty in his marked troop car when he ran a stop sign while chasing a speeder in Upper Township, Cape May County. His flashing lights and sirens were off because he was “closing the gap” with his target, which he asserts is correct police procedure.

While crossing the intersection, he slammed into a minivan driven by 17-year old Jacqueline Becker. Both Becker and her sister, Christina, 19, who was in the passenger seat, were killed. The following year Higbee was indicted for vehicular homicide, but a jury acquitted him in 2009. Last year, Fuentes fild disciplinary charges against Higbee, saying he had performed his duties in a “culpably inefficient manner” by running the stop sign.

Higbee, 38, is currently on duty in the Atlantic City Casino Investigations Unit.

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As reported by trentonian.com, Trenton firefighters are bracing for a major shake-up and legal battle as the State of New Jersey encourages Mayor Tony Mack’s administration to institute a restructuring plan that fire department insiders say violates the firefighters’ contracts and may force unions to go on the offensive.

The plan calls for the creation of a rank the Trenton Fire Department (“TFD”) never had before, lieutenant, bringing back the rank of deputy chief, which the TFD had before it was eliminated to make way for a director position, and eliminating the rank of captain. Currently, the TFD has three ranks, firefighter, captain, and battalion chief, and a director. The restructuring plan calls for the ranks of firefighter, lieutenant, battalion chief, deputy chief and a director. All but a few captains, who will be promoted to battalion chief, will have their titles changed to lieutenant and will receive up to a 15 percent pay decrease. 

The Mack administration is referring to the change of title as a “demotion,” but the firefighters don’t see it that way. “It is not a demotion because with a demotion they wouldn’t be able to change your pay,” a firefighter who requested anonymity said. 

Creating a new rank would also mean creating a new pay scale for that rank. Per contract, salaries are “mandatory negotiable,” meaning the Mack administration would have to negotiate the salary with firefighter unions and that the unions have a say in the pay scale dimensions, the Mack administration cannot arbitrarily impose a pay scale.

Or can they? That’s the question a judge may have to answer in the near future. According to TFD sources, Mack is not honoring a contractual stipulation that 45-day notice be given to firefighters who face layoff, demotion or any other major change in their public employment.

Last year, firefighter Union 206 offered a concession to Trenton that no union in this history of New Jersey has ever offered a municipality. They offered “straight-time overtime,” meaning that firefighters would be paid their regular hourly wage no matter how many hours they work. The union says that could have saved the City of Trenton $2.5 million since the time that it was turned down last year. In a recent memo distributed by Fire Director Qareeb Bashir, the City is now asking the union for another shot at that concession, on top of restructuring.

The plan is being instituted at the behest of former Irvington fire chief, Donald Hubert, who has become the state’s point-man on municipal fire companies. Union members said they would be fine with the straight-time overtime concession, but not the 15 percent pay decrease and rank restructuring the plan entails, which means the issue could likely end up in a courtroom.

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As reported by nj.com, when William Stephens ran for Mayor of Edison in 2005, township firefighters supported his opponent Jun Choi, who won. Firefighters claims Stephens never forgot. Four years later, then-Councilwoman Antonia Ricigliano defeated Choi, took office and appointed Stephens as her management specialist. 

In a federal court suit filed last week, firefighters say they have been targets of political payback from Stephens through policies he imposed to cut shifts and reduce firefighters’ assignments. The firefighters’ union, and three firefighters, filed suit naming Ricigliano, Stephens, assistant public safety director Richard Laid, and recently fired business administrator Dennis Gonzalez.

“Defendants have consistently imposed penal policies on the fire department in retribution for (firefighters) political opposition to Stephens,” as well as firefighters’ criticism of the administration’s policies, the suit states. Stephens denies the retribution claim and said charges were made to cut costs.

When Ricigliano ran for mayor in 2009, firefighters stumped for her as she promised to bolster public safety. Since the mayor took office in January 2010, her alliance with the union has dissolved.

Named as the plaintiffs in the federal lawsuit are firefighters Anthony Pepe, James Walsh, and Christopher Seich along with the union, International Association of Firefighters Local 1197, and union president Robert Yackel. According to the suit, in 2005, the firefighters individually campaigned against Stephens, who indicated he would retaliate. 

The suit also states that firefighters have public criticized Ricigliano’s policies. In retaliation, the suit contends, staffing at each firehouse was cut from 22 firefighters per 24-hour shift to 20. In addition, Ricigliano hired full-time emergency medical technicians, ending the practice of rotating firefighters to staff first aid squads. Walsh and Pepe received an additional $279.39 in every biweekly pay check for work as EMTs the suit states.

Ricigliano and Stephens defend the charges as saving tax dollars, and say that fire department overtime cost Edison $2 million in 2010, but has been cut to $25,000 for the first four months of this year. “We are very proud that we are able to provide a service to the people of Edison and at a cost-savings,” Stephens said. He said the township has volunteer firefighters to supplement the department, and the staff cut was not a safety risk, a contention union members dispute.

In the suit, the plaintiffs claim the retribution violates their rights to free speech and free assembly as union members.

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As reported by nj.com, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie says he and lawmakers are close to an agreement on ending huge payouts to retiring public employees for unused sick days. However, Governor Christie says he will not accept a deal that allows for any payouts going forward.

Republicans and Democrats agree that cash-outs that can total hundreds of thousands of dollars strain local budgets. They differ on how to best fix the problem.

Christie conditionally vetoed a bill in December that would have capped the amount of accumulated sick leave employees can cash out from here on at $15,000.

Please continue to check this blog periodically to ascertain updates regarding this issue.

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As reported by nj.com, with Senate President Stephen Sweeney set to rely on Republican votes to overhaul public employee benefits, the fate of the controversial plan may depend on whether Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver follows his lead. 

Assembly Democrats met in private and few embraced the Senate President’s plan of combining sweeping changes to public employee pensions and medical benefits into one bill, according to three sources who attended the meeting. The meeting was not called to discuss the issue, but it was raised by members who later voiced opposition about combining both measures into one bill and legislating medical benefits, according to the sources, who requested anonymity because they are not authorized to speak about caucuses.

Oliver has not said what she plans to do. She said in a statement: “The Assembly continues to be increasingly frustrated by the governor’s failure to show leadership and do what he’s supposed to do-negotiate a contract that both protects taxpayers and worker rights.” The lack of Democratic support means Oliver would have to decide whether to move the legislation without the majority support of her party, a political gamble that would come as members prepare for fall elections.

“It would be a historic precedent that needs to be weighed carefully,” said Assemblyman Gary Schaer, who opposes the medical benefit proposals because he says they do nothing to control costs. Assemblyman John Wisniewski doesn’t believe the two proposals can be combined into one bill because the state Constitution requires legislation to have a single purpose. Like others, he said medical benefits should be dealt with at the negotiating table.  Assemblyman Tom Giblin said Democrats should be unified on this issue. “We have always stood up for the working man, and I think we should continue to do that,” he said.

Facing similar odds, Sweeney has lined up a small group of Democratic senators who said they would be willing to join with Republicans to help ensure there is enough votes to pass the bill, according to four sources familiar with the plan. Sweeney is prepared to move the bill for a vote before Memorial Day. Sweeney and Gov. Chris Christie are still negotiating the shape of the final bill, and sources were not briefed on the details being discussed.  

If Sweeney and Oliver move forward without the majority support of their party, they are putting themselves and members at political risk, says Brigid Harrison, a political scientist at Montclair State University. While unions don’t have the political clout they once enjoyed, Christie’s rhetoric combined with labor battles in Wisconsin and Ohio have awakened members who will be mobilized this fall, Harrison said. “Christie has energized a flabby, sleeping giant,” she said.

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As reported by nj.com, despite slim Democratic support, state Senate President Stephen Sweeney is prepared to move forward with a plan to overhaul public employee pensions and health benefits before the end of next month. Sweeney has lined up a small group of Democratic senators who said they would be willing to join with Republicans to help ensure there are enough votes to enact sweeping changes to public employee benefits.

The move signals that ongoing negotiations between Sweeney and Gov. Chris Christie over the shape of the changes are progressing. The sources, who requested anonymity because they are not authorized to discuss the negotiations, said lawmakers have not been told of specific details, but Sweeney assured Democrats the plan would require workers to contribute more to health benefits and would take their salaries into account.

Sweeney spokesman Chris Donnelly declined to comment on what steps Sweeny has taken or will take to enact the changes, but expressed confidence a bill would pass the Senate. “Reform is coming and the Senate president will have more than enough votes to get it done,” Donnelly said.

The momentum is likely to anger public employee unions and even some Democrats, who argue that employee medical benefits should be decided at the bargaining table, not through legislation. Hetty Rosenstein, regional director for the state’s largest public employee union, called a move to vote on changes to medical benefits “disgusting.” “For Democrats to support a bill that eliminates collective bargaining around health care…that’s hugely problematic for Democrats and wrong,” Rosenstein said. “We expect the Democratic Party to stand up for collective bargaining.”

Sweeney and Christie have found common ground on changes to public employee medical benefits, but less on the issue of pensions. Sweeney introduced a bill that would increase employee medical benefit contributions over seven years and set a sliding scale of 12 to 30 percent of premiums, based on salary. Christie wants to phase increases over three years and have all employees pay 30 percent of their premiums. He also wants to increase the eligibility requirements for post-employment health care.

Both said pension reform is necessary to restore fiscal health to a pension system that was underfunded by $54 billion as of the latest actuarial account.

Christie wants to increase the retirement age to 65 for many employees, require all public employees to contribute 8.5 percent of their salaries into the pension system, and eliminate cost-of-living increases for all current and future retirees. Sweeney has also proposed a series of pension revisions that include creating a board that would have management over the system’s investments and determine employee contribution rates based upon an annual actuarial analysis.

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As reported by nj.com, after two months of stinging recriminations and heated controversy, Governor Chris Christie signed legislation to end the early release of inmates. Christie has blamed the early-release program for two killings allegedly committed by former inmates allowed out of prison months ahead of schedule.

“From a public policy and public safety point of view, the statutory early-release law was a disaster,” he said in a statement. “Repeal should have happened 10 months ago, when we predicted and warned of the tragic circumstances that would follow if this law remained in effect.” Christie added, “Our communities and the safety of our citizens must get first consideration, and repeal of this law accomplishes that.”

The governor’s signature canceled the release of four inmates yesterday and 14 scheduled to be released today. About 400 inmates had been released early since the program began on January 3. 

A war of words broke out in March between Christie and Assemblywoman Bonnie Watson-Coleman, who sponsored the program, after it was disclosed that two former inmates had been charged with homicide after being released early. Christie blamed Watson Coleman for the deaths, while she said his administration failed to properly supervise former inmates.

Watson Coleman has argued that the program would improve public safety because inmates released early would be under state supervision rather than finishing sentences with no strings attached. Yesterday, she expressed concern that the state had “taken a step backward” in its effort to reduce recidivism.

The controversy over the early-release program dates to its signing by Governor Jon Corzine on his last day in office. When he approved Watson Coleman’s bill last year, Corzine attached a signing statement saying he expects the early-release provision “will not become effective.”

Christie and Watson Coleman have fought over what that meant. Coleman said she only committed to ensuring inmates were not released before their first parole dates; Christie said she broke her promise to roll back the entire program.

The bill signed by Christie yesterday also restores more discretion to the Parole Board, allowing it to determine an inmate’s parole eligibility rather than being required to review each case every three years. “These are decisions that belong not with the lawmakers but with professionals who have taken on this responsibility for decades,” Christie said.

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As reported by nj.com, people who intentionally kill police dogs or dogs involved in search and rescue operations may soon face stiffer penalties in New Jersey. The Assembly is set to consider legislation this week that would mandate minimum five-year prison terms, with no chance of parole, for such offenders, who would also face fines up to $15,000. The current maximum sentence they now face is just three to five years in prison.

The measure, named for a police dog killed in the line of duty last November, was passed by the state senate earlier this year, so it would head to Governor Chris Christie’s desk if the Assembly gives its approval on Monday. The legislation honors Schultz, a 3 ½ year old German Shepherd who served with the Gloucester Township police force and was well-known in that southern New Jersey community due to appearances at many public events.

On the day he died, Schultz had helped track down a robbery suspect and sunk his teeth into the man’s forearm. The suspect then swung his arm and the dog was thrown into the path of an oncoming car, which struck and killed him. He was later memorialized with full police honors at a ceremony which drew large crowds and media coverage.

“Dogs that assist law enforcement are loyal allies in the fight against crime,” said Ruben Ramos, Jr., one of the bill’s primary sponsors. “This dog, like many others, was simply doing his job serving and protecting the public. They deserve legitimate protection against abuse, and those who abuse them need to face severe punishment.” Besides Ramos, other primary sponsors in the Assembly are Democrats Paul Moriarty of Turnersville, Charles Mainor of Jersey City and Gilbert “Whip” Wilson of Camden. It was initially considered by the Law and Public Safety Committee, which gave its approval in March.

In the senate, the bill was sponsored by Fred Madden, who served 28 years with the New Jersey State Police, and Donald Norcross. It was passed by that chamber in February by a unanimous 40-0 vote. Madden said police dogs are “vital parts” of the law enforcement agencies they serve with, so killing one should be viewed no less harshly than assaulting a police officer. “Schultz died in the line of duty doing exactly what he and every police dog has been trained to do, hunt down criminal suspects and help their human handlers arrest them so they can be brought to justice.”

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As reported by nj.com, Governor Chris Christie challenged lawmakers last May to pass a series of bills he said would lower property taxes, but a year later, with only some of the reforms enacted, property taxes are up $1 billion. Depending on who’s talking, the impasse on Christie’s reform package, what he calls the “tool kit,” speaks to either the governor’s poor vision and execution, or the Legislature’s lack of urgency and political courage.

Although some big pieces of his reform effort have been enacted, Christie has repeatedly criticized lawmakers in recent weeks for failing to clear the remaining bills. He labels them “do-nothing” legislators who get poor grades for choosing special interests over lower property taxes. Democratic legislative leaders counter Christie by blaming him for both designing a flawed blueprint to lower property taxes, and for being unwilling to compromise on some of the measures that lawmakers have advanced with amendments. Regardless of which side is right, property owners in New Jersey continue to be the losers during the yearlong debate because they are stuck with average annual property tax bills that continue to rise toward $10,000. 

The average property tax bill in New Jersey increased last year by $295 to a record high of $7,576. That increase came during a year that saw Christie and lawmakers pass a state budget that replaced $1,000 property tax rebate checks with a small credit that was not realized until earlier this year. 

Once again, each side is blaming the other for the increase in property tax bills. Christie says the Democrats own the increase because they have not moved all of his legislation. Democrats say Christie’s bills, even if passed, would have had a marginal effect at best in the face of state school aid cuts and the loss of the rebates.

The full article on nj.com shows where things stand right now with the key pieces of Christie’s proposed “tool kit” reforms, to include what has passed, what has stalled, and what they are saying.

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As reported by nj.com, most of the jobs scheduled to be eliminated by the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office will be saved, according to a report on philly.com.

Two unions have agreed to seven furlough days, while three other unions will vote next week, the report said. Earlier this year, layoff notices were sent out to sixty-six (66) employees, a third of Camden County Prosecutor Warren Faulk’s staff. The layoffs were delayed because the 2011 budget was not finalized.

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As reported by nj.com, Samuel DeMaio, a 24-year law enforcement veteran described as “the toughest cop” in Newark, was named to lead the state’s largest police department, then given his first order of business: prevent what some fear could be another bloody summer.

DeMaio, 44, who will serve as acting police director, replaces Garry McCarthy, who has been named superintendent of the Chicago Police Department. Calling it a “bittersweet” day,” Newark Mayor Cory Booker praised his future and former directors during a morning press conference. 

“There is still much work to be done in Newark, but we stand now on a platform that was designed by a great leader in our city and a great leader in America,” Booker said, referring to McCarthy. Then, turning to DeMaio, who he called a “tactician” committed to emulating McCarthy’s success, the mayor said, “we have a hungry man who is ready to prove himself.”

Booker said that during his search for an acting director, other officers described DeMaio as “the toughest cop that we have. This was the most fearsome fighter.”

DeMaio takes over a department trying to rebound from last year’s massive layoffs and preparing for what some fear may be another crime-filled summer. Last year, Newark experienced its deadliest summer in 20 years, with 35 homicides between June 1 and August 31. DeMaio promised that will not happen again. 

“That is the number one priority right now. I have a summer plan we have been working on,” he said, adding that details on the initiative will be released in the coming weeks. “I think it’s going to have a tremendous impact on our crime this summer. I think it’s something the citizens are going to enjoy seeing.”

Booker said DeMaio will serve as acting director through September, but a peaceful summer could help his chances to lead the department full-time. The former deputy chief is an experienced police executive who worked closely with McCarthy, former Police Director Anthony Ambrose and former Chief Irving Bradley, Jr. He has also served as the department’s chief of detectives and as a precinct commander.

DeMaio’s appointment was met with praise from some law enforcement leaders, who say his background makes him a perfect candidate, and skepticism from others, who say his disciplinary record should be made public.

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As reported by nj.com, Garry McCarthy was named Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department today, ending his four-year tenure at the helm of New Jersey’s largest police department, according to law enforcement officials.

Chicago mayor-elect Rahm Emanuel stood side by side with McCarthy during a press conference, officially putting Newark’s top cop in charge of the 13,000 member police department after weeks of speculation that he was the favorite to claim the job.

McCarthy was named one of three finalists by Chicago’s civilian police review board last week, alongside two high-ranking Chicago Police officials. Several media outlets branded him the favorite for the job because of his track record of success in large urban police departments. McCarthy, who also had a storied career with the New York Police Department, was a finalist for the Chicago Superintendent’s position once before, in 2003. It was not immediately clear who will replace him in Newark.

McCarhty’s four years as the director in Newark were marked by strategic successes and public image headaches. Hired by Mayor Cory Booker in 2006, McCarthy has been credited with driving down the city’s violent crime rate over the past four years. He recently pushed for the wildly effective “Ceasefire” model, an anti-gang community outreach strategy, to be used in the state’s largest city. The city’s homicide total, which routinely hit triple digits before McCarthy’s arrival, dropped steadily from 2006 to 2009.

In those same four years, McCarthy became engaged in hostile and public battles with the city’s Superior Officer’s Association and the American Civil Liberties Union, who last year filed a petition alleging rampant misconduct throughout the department, calling for a federal monitor to oversee the agency.

Deborah Jacobs, the executive director of the ACLU, said McCarthy’s departure is “great with respect to our petition,” claiming the 51-year-old director was resistant to changes called for in the ACLU’s petition for federal oversight of the department last year.

“Director McCarthy came to Newark promising to reform Internal Affairs, and it simply hasn’t happened. The Newark Police Department remains in need to fundamental changes to ensure accountability,” Jacobs said. “Now, our primary concern is that Mayor Booker conducts an open and transparent process for his next appointment so that the public knows what it’s getting.”

The scramble for a new Director will begin during a critical time for the Department. In addition to the ACLU’s petition, the state’s largest city is battling a surge in violent crime, which followed the layoff of 162 police officers last year.

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