Donald C. Barbati

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As reported by nj.com, seven municipalities in Camden County have made a request for proposals looking into the possibility of consolidating the management of their respective police departments. The municipalities, Audubon, Collingswood, Haddonfield, Haddon Heights, Haddon Township, Mount Ephraim, and Oaklyn, all independently authorized the RFPs, stating they are open to the idea of …

 

As reported by nj.com on July 1, 2013, the State of New Jersey revenue collections out paced Governor Christie’s administrations projections for the sixth consecutive month in May, according to state treasury figures, which were released that day. The strong revenue figures received a boost from better than expected income and sales tax collections, which account for more than half of the State’s overall revenue collections. The State’s Chief Economist, Charles Steindel, stated “the report reflects ongoing improvement in economic conditions of State residents,” “income tax collections continue to grow rapidly even after the receipt of large final payments in April.” Overall, income tax collections are up 13% in New Jersey this year and revenues from sales tax is up 3%. 

In the past strong revenue collections by the State of New Jersey would be good news for New Jersey Public Employment law enforcement labor unions as it would demonstrate the State’s “ability to pay” when arguing for a pay raise that could be collectively bargained for. The ability to pay is one of the nine (9) criteria cited in the New Jersey Employer/Employee Relations Act that must be taken into consideration by arbitrators in rendering an interest arbitration award. However, in 2010, the New Jersey State Legislature enacted new laws regarding how the interest arbitration processes is to be conducted in the State of New Jersey. The Legislature passed these modifying laws on or about December 13, 2010 and the same became effective on January 1, 2011. 

In simple terms, the legislation, which amended various provisions of NJSA 34:13A-16, et. seq., revised the procedure for police and fire contract disputes and imposed a cap on certain interest arbitration awards. According to the statement accompanying the bill, the legislation is supposed to streamline the procedure for resolving contractual impasses between public employers and their police and fire departments and imposes a 2% cap on arbitration awards under certain circumstances. The statue establishing the 2% cap reads as follows:

 

Continue Reading Applicability of 2% Cap Nullifies Consideration Of Other Interest Arbitration Criteria

As reported by nj.com, a new report shows the retirement funds for New Jersey State Troopers, local police, and firefighters and public workers lost ground in the first year workers were required to pay more toward their pensions. The State paid one-seventh of its contribution to the system in the fiscal year that …

As reported by nj.com, State and County law enforcement officials have stepped up oversight of the Edison Police Department’s internal affairs unit, which has been beset by allegations that it launched politically motivated investigations and quashed credible claims of brutality. The new measures, imposed by the State Attorney General’s Office and the Middlesex …