As reported by nj.com, after days of playing defense, Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr. apologized for the controversy surrounding his pension, which has drawn condemnation from public employee unions and the governor. DiVincenzo “retired” last year as county executive and started collecting his pension while continuing to hold office and earn his
Christie
Christie Slams Alternative Proposal by CWA on Health Care Benefits
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
As reported by nj.com, Governor Chris Christie panned an alternative proposal by the State’s largest public employee union to overhaul health care benefits. “Their offer stinks,” Christie said at a press conference in Trenton. “It doesn’t save any money.”
Christie wants all state employees to pay for 30 percent of the cost of health …
Treasurer Says NJ Will Make $506 Million Payment to Pension Fund
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
As reported by nj.com, New Jersey’s top fiscal officer says the State will make a half-billion dollar payment to the pension fund when the law requires. Governor Chris Christie has proposed paying the $506 million early, but only if the Legislature agrees to raise the retirement age and require workers to pay more …
State PBA Calls for Essex County Executive To Resign
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
As reported by nj.com, the state’s largest police union called on Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. to resign in the wake of revelations that he is receiving a salary and pension for the same job.
“This is unbelievable, the man is out yelling about reform and he takes a loophole to …
Governor Christie Seeks to Halt Early Release of Inmates with Conditional Veto
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
As reported by nj.com, Governor Chris Christie is seeking to halt the early release of state prison inmates with the conditional veto of a separate bill today. The early release program has drawn a firestorm of controversy after two inmates who were allowed out of prison months early were accused of murder.
“Whatever original …
Sweeney Plan for Healthcare Reform Gains Little Support Among Democrats
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …