As reported by nj.com, public employees, from state workers to local school teachers, may now choose from a wider range of health plans that include low-cost options and some with narrower coverage as they start paying more for their benefits. The signature benefit reform enacted by Governor Chris Christie calls for cheaper plans while
Articles
NJ Towns To Save $267M In Pension Costs Thanks To New Law
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
As reported by nj.com, the Christie administration touted big savings for local governments because of pension reforms as state employees and a judge tussled over lawsuits challenging new requirements for them to pay more their benefits.
The controversial public benefits overhaul, signed by Governor Chris Christie in June, shifts a greater share of …
Trenton Welcomes Back 18 Officers Out of 105 Laid Off
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
As reported by nj.com, reclaiming the gear they laid down more than two weeks ago, 18 formerly laid-off Trenton police officers returned to work Monday morning.
The somber ceremony of laying down boots outside police headquarters the day of the layoffs was replayed backwards inside the department’s training room, as returning cops happily …
NJ Republican Leaders Block Pay Raises for Top State Officials
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
As reported by nj.com, the state’s highest ranking government officials will not be getting a raise any time soon. Republican legislative leaders and Governor Chris Christie’s office announced they would withhold appointments to a seven-member commission that meets every four years to set salaries for a broad range of officials from the governor …
State Employees Challenging Legality of Pension Law Want to Combine Lawsuit
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
As reported by nj.com, a group of state employees challenging the constitutionality of New Jersey’s new law covering pension and health benefits wants to combine their lawsuit to the one brought by a Superior Court judge. The employees said the lawsuit filed by Judge Paul DePacale was similar to the one filed on their …
Leaked Audio Reveals Christie Says He Helped Oliver Remain In Power For Her Help Passing Public Employee Benefits Overhaul
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
As reported by nj.com, leaked audio from Governor Chris Christie’s closed-door speech to conservative donors in Colorado gives new details on the heated final days in the battle to cut public employee benefits. In particular, Christie said Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver personally asked him for Republican support to stay in power if dissident …
Middlesex County Police Departments To Share $120K Confiscated From Criminals
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
As reported by nj.com, two dozen Middlesex County police departments will share $120,000 in funds confiscated from criminals to develop community policing programs, Prosecutor Bruce Kaplan said. The grants will be used to create programs that enhance public awareness and combat such crimes as bias intimidation, bullying and vandalism.
The prosecutor said 22 municipal …
NJ Unions, Public Workers Sue To Stop Pension, Benefits Overhaul
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
As reported by nj.com, dozens of unions and public workers filed suit against the newly enacted pension and health benefit overhaul in federal court yesterday. The 58-page, 17-count suit charges the state violated the state and federal constitutions by suspending cost of living adjustments for at least 30 years, failing to make full payments …
Union City Police Chief Earns About $36K Per Year As Part-Time School Security Worker
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
As reported by nj.com, although he has a full-time, $248,000 per year job as Union City’s police chief, Charles Everett has been raking in thousands of dollars for off-duty work for keeping tabs on the city’s pool and athletic field. According to records obtained by The Jersey Journal through the state’s Open Public Records …
NJ Has Lowest Number of Public Workers In Eight Years
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
As reported by nj.com, with a flood of retirements, the sluggish economy, and a governor intent on shrinking the size of government, the number of public workers in New Jersey has dropped to its lowest level in eight years, a Star-Ledger analysis shows. New Jersey shed about 29,100 state and local government jobs …