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
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
Sweeney Plan To Bypass Christie On NJ Public Worker Pensions Clears First Hurdle
As reported by NJ.com, a key State Senate Committee approved legislation to ask voters to revise the New Jersey Constitution to require the State to ratchet up contributions to the public pension system. The Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee cleared the resolution along party lines, with Republicans’ opposition rooted in protecting taxpayers from severe
State PBA President Lashes Out At Christie For Shameful Comment
As reported by NJ.com, the president of the New Jersey police union that represents nearly 33,000 officers lashed out against Governor Chris Christie after the Governor called him a “pension pig.” Pat Colligan, president of the New Jersey State PBA, referred to the Governor as a “schoolyard bully” and said Christie’s statement “didn’t surprise”
Hamilton Mayor Talks Fire District Consolidation; Wants State Input
As reported by NJ.com, Hamilton Mayor Kelly Yaede met with the Township firefighters’ unions two years ago about consolidation and said she is pleased to finally see petitions going to taxpayers to start the process. The mayor, though, believes the unions which are spearheading the effort should be seeking signatures in all districts, including
Sweeney Wants Federal Loan Program To Rescue Public Worker Pensions
As reported by NJ.com, State Senate President Stephen Sweeney said the answer to New Jersey’s rising public employee pension debt lies in creating a trillion dollar federal loan program that will help states avoid insolvency, spare millions of government workers from economic devastation and take the pressure off state budgets. The government aid program
NJ Trooper Unions Sue Christie Over Shortchanged Pension Payment In Proposed Budget
As reported by NJ.com, a group of unions representing New Jersey State Troopers are the first to sue Governor Chris Christie to force him to make a larger payment to the State’s public-worker pension system in his latest state budget proposal. Christie’s proposed budget, which covers the fiscal year that begins in July, includes a
Police and Fire Benevolent Associations File Lawsuits To Mandate Funding
As reported by Politckernj.com, in the aftermath of Governor Chris Christie’s budget address, the leaders of the State’s Police and Fire Benevolent Associations announced their decision to file separate lawsuits aimed at making the Governor comply with the full funding of the public pensions. Below, reprinted in its entirety, is a statement of explanation the
NJ Unions Deride Christie Pension Fix As ‘Deceptive,’ Say It ‘Punishes’ Healthy Funds
As reported by NJ.com, just hours after Governor Chris Christie claimed he’d reached an “unprecedented accord with the New Jersey Education Association” that would “solve our long-term problems with the pension and health benefit systems,” the criticism poured in, from the NJLEA, from other union leaders and even a former New Jersey governor. NJLEA
Christie Pension Commission Recommends Plan For Fewer Benefits
As reported by NJ.com, Governor Chris Christie’s high-powered pension commission has proposed a sweeping plan that would save the State billions in retirement and health care costs while reducing benefits for hundreds of thousands of public workers. The commissi0n says New Jersey needs to drastically change its pension and health plans. Christie’s budget address