As reported by nj.com, hundreds of thousands of retired public employees are not entitled to cost-of-living adjustments, a Superior Court judge has ruled, upholding a segment of the new pension regulations that suspend the increases indefinitely. The ruling by Superior Court Judge Douglas Hurd affects all current and future retirees in pension systems
Donald C. Barbati
NJ Attorney General Pitches Christie’s Proposed $958M Public Safety Budget
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
As reported by nj.com, State Attorney General Jeffrey Chisea made his case for the Department of Law and Public Safety’s proposed $958 million budget, which includes money for new State Police recruits and hundreds of patrol vehicles. The budget, proposed by Governor Chris Christie in February, also includes money for the State Police to …
Union County Could Lay Off Workers To Close Budget Gap
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
As reported by nj.com, talk of fiscal belt-tightening has become common over the last year in the halls of Union County government. Now, with an executive budget set to be unveiled Thursday, the real scope of Union County’s money troubles is coming into focus: Officials say they must close a $36 million deficit, and nearly …
Supreme Court Hears Arguments on Judges’ Health Insurance, Pension Lawsuit
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
As reported by nj.com, in a case that could affect the NJ Supreme Court itself, a state judge tried to stop Governor Chris Christie from increasing the cost of pensions and health care benefits for judges and justices. Taking the case directly from the lower court, the Supreme Court will decide whether a new …
NJ Judge Takes Pension Fight to NJ Supreme Court
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
As reported by nj.com, the question of whether Governor Chris Christie and the Legislature can order judges to pay 9 percent more toward their pensions is headed to the New Jersey Supreme Court. The justices will hear arguments today in a case brought by Superior Court Judge Paul DePascale of Hudson County.
DePascale hopes …
Trenton Picks New Police Director
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
As reported by nj.com, a former state trooper and veteran of the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office has been selected by Mayor Tony Mack to head Trenton’s police department, the city’s legal counsel confirmed. Ralph Rivera, Jr. rose to the rank of major during his 27 years with the New Jersey State Police and was …
Public Employee Unions Fear Political Shift in NJ Supreme Court
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
As reported by nj.com, as hearings on Governor Chris Christie’s two Supreme Court nominees draw near, the state’s largest public employee unions say they are alarmed by a potential shift in the Court’s political balance, and Democrats are poring over new information about the pair.
In a letter to the Senate last …
Old Bridge Lays Off Ten Officers
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
As reported by nj.com, on Thursday, Old Bridge Township laid off 10 officers and issued notices that some supervising officers, including captains, lieutenants, and sergeants, would be reduced in rank. Mayor Owen Henry said the department was reduced from 91 officers to 81 because of a recent arbitration award resolving a police contract dating …
Pension Reform Lawsuit Dismissed
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
As reported by app.com, a federal lawsuit brought by New Jersey public employee unions, in an attempt to overturn last year’s pension and benefit reforms, has been dismissed. U.S. District Judge Anne E. Thompson ruled Monday that the issue is not under federal jurisdiction because of the 11th amendment to the U.S. Constitution, …
Governor Christie Talks Criminal Justice Reform At Westwood Town Hall
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
As reported by nj.com, Governor Chris Christie told a town hall crowd in Westwood why he thinks reforming the state’s criminal justice system will save money and reduce the number of repeat offenders.
This week he said he will release details about the mandatory drug treatment program for nonviolent offenders first unveiled in …