As reported by nj.com, Senate President Stephen Sweeney’s plan to require public workers to kick in more for medical benefits is getting little support from his fellow Democrats. As Sweeney scrambles for votes, Senate Republicans say they favor Governor Chris Christie’s proposal, which a new non-partisan report predicts would save about 16
Donald C. Barbati
Somerset County Sheriff’s Office Could Be Downsized
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
As reported by nj.com, the Somerset County freeholders do not plan to increase taxes next year, but may downsize the sheriff’s office if union concessions are not made. The freeholders presented a proposed budget last week, a spending plan that is less than one percent smaller than last year’s $211 million budget. “It’s not a …
NJ Shifting to Riskier Options for Pension Fund
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
As reported by app.com, New Jersey officials continued to move the State’s $71.6 billion pension fund into more aggressive, and riskier, investments, as returns have missed their targets for a decade. The decisions included putting $100 million into a private equity fund run by a big fundraiser for President Barack Obama.
State Investment …
Christie, Sweeney To Talk to Camden County Officials About Consolidating Police, Fire Departments
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
As reported by nj.com, Governor Chris Christie and State Senate President Stephen Sweeney will speak with elected officials from Camden County about the benefits of consolidating local police and fire departments. The meeting will take place March 23, 2011 at Camden County College and is closed to the public and media. Christie is scheduled …
Union Members Turned Away from Statehouse
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
As reported by nj.com, a security decision by State Police to turn union members away from the Statehouse hours before the Senate went into session was criticized as unfair by a key lawmaker and public employee unions. About 50 public employee union members trying to participate in a lobbying day never got inside the …
NJ Waits for IRS Review of Public Worker Pension Funds
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
CWA Offers to Pay More Than 20 Percent of Health Benefits
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
As reported by nj.com, the state’s largest public employee union unveiled its plan for workers to contribute more for their medical coverage in hopes of convincing lawmakers and the public that real savings can be achieved at the bargaining table.
The Communications Workers of America, which represents about 40,000 state workers, detailed …
Camden to Rehire 50 Police Officers, 15 Firefighters
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
As reported by nj.com, Camden Mayor Dana Reed says her crime-ridden city will rehire 50 police officers and 15 firefighters two months after deep layoffs to public safety departments. Reed announced that she will use $2.5 million paid to the City by the South Jersey Port Corp, plus federal grants, to bring back …
Governor Christie Calls for Elimination of Early-Release Program
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
As reported by nj.com, Governor Chris Christie called for the elimination of an early release program for prison inmates, less than two weeks after an inmate released early allegedly killed a man in Jersey City. Authorities said the former inmate, Rondell Jones, shot and killed a Newark man during a dispute six weeks after …
Christie Refuses to Negotiate Health Care Cost Increases
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
As reported by nj.com, representatives for Governor Chris Christie have told the state’s largest union that the administration’s plan to sharply increase health care costs for public employees was not negotiable, union leaders said.
The Governor’s issue first took the issue of health care costs off the table when negotiations over a new …