The U.S. Supreme Court sided with former Paterson police officer Jeffrey J. Heffernan and ruled that his First Amendment rights were violated when he was demoted after picking up a campaign sign for the mayor’s opponent. Heffernan had been demoted after supporters of Mayor Jose “Joey” Torres saw him picking up a campaign sign for
The Costs of Chapter 78, P.L., 2011 on New Jersey Retirees’ Healthcare Contributions
Chapter 78, P.L., 2011 (hereinafter referred to as “Chapter 78”) went into effect on June 28, 2011, and has increased the average healthcare contributions required of public employees substantially. However, not all employees and retirees are equally effected. This article will briefly outline the effect Chapter 78 will have on newly and prospective retirees.
Chapter
Investigation Concludes that Brick Police Officers were Justified in Using Deadly Force in 2015 Shooting
As reported by the Brick Patch online, the shooting of a 21-year-old Brick Township man in August 2015 during a confrontation with police has been ruled a justifiable use of deadly force, Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph Coronato announced Thursday.
In a statement released Thursday morning, Coronato said the investigation into the Aug. 23 shooting
Moody’s Comments on Various NJ Pension Issues
As reported by NJ.com, Moody’s Investors Service again sent up a warning flare that a possible New Jersey Supreme Court ruling striking down cuts to public retirees’ pension benefits would soak the struggling retirement system with new pension liabilities. But in its latest report released on the “extraordinary decisions and challenges” the Garden State
NJ Public Unions Defend Mandatory Dues Challenged in U.S. Supreme Court
As reported by NJ.com, New Jersey’s public labor unions leaders say they are intently watching a case before the U.S. Supreme Court that could strike down compulsory membership dues and threaten how they are funded. The outcome is of major consequence in the Garden State and about 20 other states where public workers are
NJ Lawmakers Clash Over Forcing Bigger Pension Payments
As reported by NJ.com, State Senate President Stephen Sweeney and labor leaders defended Sweeney’s proposal to constitutionally enforce payments into the public pension system against arguments it’s a gift to special interests that will shackle New Jersey’s finances. The scrap between Sweeney and labor leaders versus Senate Minority Leader Tom Kean, Jr. and business
Trenton First Responders to Receive Bulletproof Vests & Raises
As reported by Trentonian.com, Trenton firefighters will receive bulletproof vests and raises as part of a labor contract approved by city council on Dec. 17.
“Our firefighters — they go inside houses — sometimes in situations where they don’t really know what the circumstances are,” Qareeb Bashir, the city’s fire & emergency services director
State Buying 5,000 Body Cameras For 176 NJ Police Departments
As reported by NJ.com, State officials will announce awards to 176 police departments to buy more than 5,000 body cameras, a move they claim puts New Jersey at the “forefront” of states embracing the relatively new technology. Acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman said that when his office kicked off the $2.5 million program
Lawmakers Push Pension Ballot Question On Forcing NJ To Make Payments
As reported by NJ.com, a referendum to amend the New Jersey Constitution to require the State to make contributions to public worker pensions cleared the State Assembly Judiciary Committee on Thursday during a discussion that drew sharp criticism from a Republican lawmaker.
Assemblywoman Holly Schepisi (R-Bergen) faulted Democrats for pushing the legislation through without
Two Obamacare Taxes Likely to Be Delayed for Two Years
As reported by Morningconsult.com, with Congress just hours away from unveiling a new budget deal, it is increasingly likely that two prominent Obamacare taxes that help pay for the law — on medical devices and high-cost health plans (or “Cadillac Plans”) — will be delayed for two years.
Congressional negotiations have been overlapping on