As reported by nj.com, New Jersey pumps nearly $65 million a year into a network of privately run halfway houses, but the system is rife with problems, according to a state comptroller report released yesterday. Even when contracts are violated, the state has failed to crack down on security lapses, the report said. Worst of
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Overhaul To Pension System Pushed Forward By Sweeney
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
As reported by nj.com, despite a rising chorus of opposition from fellow Democrats, the Senate President and Assembly Speaker pressed forward Tuesday to overhaul health and pension benefits for the state’s 500,000 public employees. After trying for a week to line up Democratic support for the measure with little success, Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver…
As State Democrats Prepare To Introduce Healthcare Reform, Christie’s Stance Remains Unclear
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
As reported by nj.com, the state’s top lawmakers said Monday they cleared a significant hurdle in efforts to overhaul public employee benefits after agreeing to a plan that shifts more medical costs onto workers while protecting future collective bargaining rights.
The spotlight now turns to Governor Chris Christie, who has been uncharacteristically …
CWA Head Says Sweeney’s Health Benefit Proposal Is Misleading
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
As reported by nj.com, the state’s largest public employee union said State Senate President Stephen Sweeney has released misleading information about how his health benefit overhaul will affect the pocketbooks of workers.
Sweeney wants to shift more of the costs of health benefits onto public workers. All state and local public employees would pay …
Bordentown Township Scrutinizes Plan to Merge Police Force With Bordentown City
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
As reported by nj.com, a consultant’s report on the advantages of sharing Bordentown Township and Bordentown City police services was met with skepticism from the public, though officials urged people to give the idea serious consideration. Despite being separate municipalities, the two Bordentowns could and should have a shared police force, according to …
Sweeney Says He Is Drafting Bill To Change Pension, Benefits System for Public Workers
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
As reported by nj.com, Senate President Stephen Sweeney said today he plans to introduce legislation to increase health and pension benefits payments for public workers and that the Budget and Appropriation Committee will hold a hearing on it next week.
Sweeney and Governor Chris Christie have reached an agreement on the measure, but …
NJ Assembly Holds UP Pension, Health Benefits Overhaul Brokered By Christie, Sweeney
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
As reported by nj.com, Governor Chris Christie and Senate President Stephen Sweeney were poised to announce an agreement on a plan to overhaul health and pension benefits for public employees, but were stymied after the compromise received a chilly reception in the Assembly. “We are not there yet,” said Speaker Sheila Oliver, who …
Deal to Change NJ Public Workers’ Pensions, Benefits Is Struck by Christie, Sweeney
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
As reported by nj.com, public workers would pay more for their pension and health benefits under a deal struck between Governor Chris Christie and Senate President Stephen Sweeney. Under the deal, most public workers would immediately pay an additional 1 percent of their salaries for their pensions, while police and firefighters would pay …
NJ Senate Committee Approves Bill Preventing Double-Dipping
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
As reported by nj.com, a double-dipping pension practice that stoked outrage earlier this year may become a thing of the past. The Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee unanimously approved two bills to prevent elected officials from collecting their pensions without actually stepping down from their jobs. The bills would only affect elected officials who have …
NJ Public Workers Continue to Retire At Record Rate
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
As reported by nj.com, for the second year in a row, public employees across New Jersey are retiring at a record rate, state figures show. Nearly 15,000 public workers are expected to retire from January through the end of July, a slight increase from the same period last year, when a record number of …