As reported in NJ.Com, the New Jersey League of Municipalities stopped short of taking an official position on Gov. Chris Christie’s proposed pension reforms but stated the proposed changes could disenfranchise workers and trigger a mass exodus of local workers. Executive Director Bill Dressel shared the league’s concerns in a letter to the governor
health benefits
Moody’s Downgrades New Jersey’s Credit Rating as a Result of Christie’s Illegal Pension Blunder
As reported in NJ.Com, Judge Jacobson’s ruling this week that public worker pension contributions are contractually protected will constrict the state’s ability to balance its budget in the future, Moody’s, a Wall Street rating agency, said today. The flexibility of the state’s pension payment has been “a tool essential” to balancing the budget, Moody’s Investors…
Did Governor Christie Ever Have Any Intention of Keeping His Promise to Fully Fund the Pension System?
As reported on NJ.Com, The State of New Jersey argued before a State Superior Court Judge today that Governor Chris Christie cannot be forced to make full pension payments because the 2011 law committing him to fully fund the state system in exchange for union concessions was unconstitutional.
Interrupting the assistant attorney general, Superior Court…
Will New Jersey’s Pension Fund Run Dry in Four Years?
As reported in NJ.COM, New Jersey’s unfunded public employee pension liabilities have soared to $83 billion, more than double previous estimates, as the state comes into compliance with new accounting rules, according to a report released today by Moody’s Investors Services, a Wall Street ratings agency.
Governor Chris Christie’s administration acknowledged the change in a…
Local Governments Stand To Save Millions By Opting In To NJ Health Plan
As reported by nj.com, local governments could save more than $100 million annually by opting for the state health benefit plan instead of costlier alternatives, according to a State Comptroller’s Office report released Tuesday. The audit looked at four local governments of varying locations and sizes, Essex County, Brick Township, East Brunswick, and Haddon …
Some Democrats Tell Protesters They Will Not Vote For Public Worker Pension, Benefit Overhaul
As reported by nj.com, rank-and-file Democrats are lining up to take the microphone at a steadily growing union rally outside the Statehouse today, vowing to cast no votes on a bill that would overhaul pension and benefits for teachers, cops, firefighters, and others.
Assemblymen Wayne DeAngelo, Daniel Benson, Patrick Diegnan, Reed Gusciora, Vincent …
Public Employees With 20 Years of Service Would Lock In Benefits Under Change to Proposed Plan
As reported by nj.com, employees with at least 20 years of service would lock in their retirement benefits under a last-minute change to the health and pension overhaul bill, according to Senate Democrats.
Under the current bill, only those employees with at least 25 years of service would have had their retirement benefits …
Overhaul To Pension System Pushed Forward By Sweeney
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
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
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 …
