As reported by nj.com, Governor Chris Christie signed a bill into law that will require public workers hired after September 1, from teachers and cops to all local, county and state work employees, to live in New Jersey. New hires outside the state’s borders will have a year from getting a job to pack
Christie
Christie Close to Deal on Ending Public Employee Payouts for Unused Sick Days
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
As reported by nj.com, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie says he and lawmakers are close to an agreement on ending huge payouts to retiring public employees for unused sick days. However, Governor Christie says he will not accept a deal that allows for any payouts going forward.
Republicans and Democrats agree that cash-outs that …
Few Assembly Democrats Support Sweeney’s Pension Overhaul Plan
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
As reported by nj.com, with Senate President Stephen Sweeney set to rely on Republican votes to overhaul public employee benefits, the fate of the controversial plan may depend on whether Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver follows his lead.
Assembly Democrats met in private and few embraced the Senate President’s plan of combining sweeping changes …
Push is on to Reform NJ Pensions By End of June
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
As reported by nj.com, despite slim Democratic support, state Senate President Stephen Sweeney is prepared to move forward with a plan to overhaul public employee pensions and health benefits before the end of next month. Sweeney has lined up a small group of Democratic senators who said they would be willing to join with …
Gov. Christie Signs Legislation Ending Early-Release Program
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
As reported by nj.com, after two months of stinging recriminations and heated controversy, Governor Chris Christie signed legislation to end the early release of inmates. Christie has blamed the early-release program for two killings allegedly committed by former inmates allowed out of prison months ahead of schedule.
“From a public policy and public …
NJ Lawmakers Near Vote To Eliminate Early-Release Prison Program
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
As reported by nj.com, lawmakers moved toward eliminating the state’s controversial early-release program, which allows some inmates out of prison six months ahead of schedule. Governor Chris Christie and some lawmakers have blamed the program for two homicides allegedly committed by inmates released early.
Christie accelerated the program’s repeal with a conditional veto …
Rev. Al Sharpton Criticizes Governor Christie
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
As reported by nj.com, the Reverend Al Sharpton stepped into New Jersey’s budget battle, joining a chorus of union leaders criticizing Governor Chris Christie’s economic policies and urging New Jerseyans to push back against a nationwide campaign to weaken organized labor. At rallies in Newark, Trenton, and Vineland, Sharpton said the state would …
Nest Egg is Missing for NJ Public Worker Retirees
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
As reported by nj.com, New Jersey’s price tag for public-worker retirement health benefits is higher than any state in the nation, according to a study to be released by the Pew Center on the States. New Jersey has promised $66.7 billion in medical benefits to future and current retirees, but has not set …
Sweeney, Oliver Meet With Unions To Talk Health Care
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
As reported by nj.com, Democratic leaders met with union officials and sources say the topic was overhauling health benefits. Senate President Steve Sweeney and Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver met with the heads of the biggest public employee unions: Communications Workers of America, America Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, International …
Christie Estimates Changes in Employee Benefits Will Save $870M Per Year
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
As reported by nj.com, Governor Chris Christie estimates his plan to overhaul the state’s public employee health benefits system will save more than $870 million a year by 2014 by shifting significant percentage of the costs to employees and future retirees, according to the Treasury Department.
In the most detailed explanation of the …