As reported on NJ.Com, yesterday, Mary Jacobson, a State Superior Court Judge blocked an attempt by the Trustees of New Jersey’s largest pension funds to revise their suit seeking billions of dollars from the State to fund the pension system in light of a recent state Supreme Court decision. The state’s highest court in June
Sweeney
Senator Sweeney is Correct–Christie Should Concentrate on Growing the State’s Economy as NJ’s Tax Revenue Recovery is One of The Poorest in The Nation
On March 11, 2015, we posted a blog wherein Senator Sweeney stated that Governor Christie needed to change his tactics at the bargaining table regarding pension reform and if he instead concentrated on “growing” New Jersey’s economy, additional tax revenue would be created that would result in more money to fund the Public Employees’…
Senator Sweeney Calls Christie’s Labor Negotiations Tactics into Question
As reported on the website, the New Jersey Politicker, Senator Sweeney recently questioned the labor negotiating tactics of New Jersey Governor Chris Christie. Sweeney went on the record stating “When you hear [Governor Chris Christie] focusing on pension reforms and benefit costs, it got the attention of a lot of people nationally. But the reality…
Did Governor Christie Ever Have Any Intention of Keeping His Promise to Fully Fund the Pension System?
By Frank M. Crivelli on
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…
OLS: Christie Cannot Invoke “State of Emergency” To Cut Pensions
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
As reported by njspotlight.com, despite his threat to take “extreme measures” to control rising pension costs, Governor Chris Christie does not have the power to declare a fiscal “state of emergency” to make unilateral changes to the pension system, nor does New Jersey have the ability, like Detroit, to declare bankruptcy to get out from…
Democrats Pledge to Fund Pension System
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
Today, February 25, 2014, Governor Chris Christie is set to propose a new state budget. In a press release yesterday, State Democrats warned the Governor that he shouldn’t expect support for a proposed tax cut.
State Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D-Gloucester) and Senate Budget Committee Chairman Paul Sarlo (D-Bergen) also repeated that the spending plan…
Senate Passes Bill That Would Punish Towns Refusing To Merge Public Services
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
As reported on nj.com, New Jersey mayors got some tough love from the State Senate, which passed a bill that would cut State funding for towns that refuse to merge public services with their neighbors. The bipartisan measure, touted as a way to lower New Jerseyans’ soaring property tax bills by reducing the size …
Bill Offers NJ Towns Choice: Share Services Or Lose Equivalent State Aid
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
As reported by nj.com, a Senate panel today approved a bill to give voters in New Jersey towns a stark option: either share the services the state has recommended for you and your neighbor, or lose state aid equivalent to what you would have saved.
It was an idea born out of Senate President …
Bill To End Sick Leave Payouts For Public Employees Proposed By Sweeney
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
As reported by nj.com, for 14 months, Governor Chris Christie and Democratic lawmakers have been at an impasse over payouts to public workers for unused sick time when they retire, further straining the budgets of municipalities. On Tuesday, however, Senate President Stephen Sweeney introduced a measure that would end the practice for new employees …
NJ Wants To Keep Taking Increased Pension Contributions From Judges During Appeal
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
As reported by nj.com, the state wants to keep taking increasing pension and health benefits contributions from Superior Court judges and Supreme Court justices while it appeals a judge’s ruling that the hikes are unconstitutional.
The state Attorney General’s Office filed a motion to postpone implementation of Superior Court Assignment Judge Linda Feinberg’s …