As reported by nj.com, last year, cities and towns across New Jersey were forced to lay off thousands of employees to cope with budget woes, while momentum for benefit reform in Trenton pushed a record number of public workers into retirement. In theory, the exodus of employees was supposed to make municipalities leaner and
Donald C. Barbati
NJ Attorney General Announces $5.7 Million for 17 Police Departments
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
As reported by nj.com, New Jersey Attorney General Paula Dow, standing beside law enforcement leaders from across the state, announced the Department of Justice awarded New Jersey $5.7 million in grants that will be divided among 17 police departments to purchase various technologies ranging from gun shot detectors to closed-circuit cameras.
“While …
Police Departments Statewide Are Feeling the Squeeze
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
As reported by app.com, the Freehold Township Police Department has new sign at its front window: “Due to staffing issues, this window may be closed throughout the day. If this is an emergency, use the red telephone.” It’s literally a sign of the times, as police departments throughout New Jersey continue to cope with the …
Essex County Executive Apologizes for Controversy Over Pension Collection
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
As reported by nj.com, after days of playing defense, Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr. apologized for the controversy surrounding his pension, which has drawn condemnation from public employee unions and the governor. DiVincenzo “retired” last year as county executive and started collecting his pension while continuing to hold office and earn his …
Christie Slams Alternative Proposal by CWA on Health Care Benefits
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
As reported by nj.com, Governor Chris Christie panned an alternative proposal by the State’s largest public employee union to overhaul health care benefits. “Their offer stinks,” Christie said at a press conference in Trenton. “It doesn’t save any money.”
Christie wants all state employees to pay for 30 percent of the cost of health …
Treasurer Says NJ Will Make $506 Million Payment to Pension Fund
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
As reported by nj.com, New Jersey’s top fiscal officer says the State will make a half-billion dollar payment to the pension fund when the law requires. Governor Chris Christie has proposed paying the $506 million early, but only if the Legislature agrees to raise the retirement age and require workers to pay more …
Federal Grant Returns 30 Laid Off Atlantic City Firefighters to Work
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
As reported by pressofatlanticcity.com, Atlantic City’s 30 laid-off firefighters will return to work on April 4, 2011. There will be an orientation, which will begin the process to get them back in uniform, and filling positions that currently require either overtime or closing companies, Fire Chief Dennis Brooks said.
The rehires will be paid …
State PBA Calls for Essex County Executive To Resign
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
As reported by nj.com, the state’s largest police union called on Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. to resign in the wake of revelations that he is receiving a salary and pension for the same job.
“This is unbelievable, the man is out yelling about reform and he takes a loophole to …
Wis. Judge to Evaluate How Union Law Was Passed
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
As reported by Yahoo News, having declared that Wisconsin’s divisive union law is not really a law yet, a judge was set to return to one of the underlying questions dogging the measure, whether Republicans violated the state’s open meetings law during the frenzied run-up to passage.
Republican Governor Scott Walker’s administration …
Governor Christie Seeks to Halt Early Release of Inmates with Conditional Veto
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
As reported by nj.com, Governor Chris Christie is seeking to halt the early release of state prison inmates with the conditional veto of a separate bill today. The early release program has drawn a firestorm of controversy after two inmates who were allowed out of prison months early were accused of murder.
“Whatever original …