As prime sponsors of the “Reduction in the Number of State Employees Act,” the 9th District Legislative Delegation today remarked that the Governor’s recently signed Executive Order (121) to establish a planning board to examine reducing the Executive Branch’s workforce is a progressive step forward in restoring fiscal integrity, but one that should have been taken years ago.
Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblyman Daniel M. Van Pelt are the primary sponsors of legislation (S-87/A-303) that would require that the Executive Branch’s workforce be downsized to its year-2000 size, which would result in the reduction of nearly 12,000 positions. The initiative was introduced by the 9th District Delegation in September of 2006 as a means of addressing the state’s perennial billion-dollar budget shortfalls and providing property tax relief. The plan would take place over a four-year period through means of attrition, as data provided by the Office of Legislative Services (OLS) shows that an average of 6,000 employees separate from their employment with the state each year.
“While we are disappointed it has taken this long, it appears the Governor has conceded that there is pressing need to examine the tremendous costs associated with the size and scope of the state bureaucracy,” said Senator Connors. “Including salary, healthcare and pension benefits, the average state employee costs taxpayers more than $72,000 per year. Had our plan been set in motion just a few years back, the state would not have given out lavish buyouts to state employees and, instead, would have realized millions of dollars in long-term savings.”
Connors added, “Don’t buy into the scare tactics used by those whose interests are best served by maintaining the bureaucracy at its current size. Essential services would not be cut as the result of downsizing. These deliberate fabrications have hamstrung past efforts to eliminate state positions at tremendous cost to taxpayers.”
In 2006, the 9th District Delegation formally requested their legislation be considered during the State Legislature’s Special Session on Property Tax Reform. In a letter to the members of the Joint Legislative Committee on Public Employee Benefits Reform, the Delegation stated that the immense size of the state’s bureaucracy is one of the major contributing factors to rising property taxes. Information pertaining to costs associated with state employee positions was also submitted into the official public record of testimony. The Delegation’s bill was never heard.
“Rather than cost managing its massive bureaucracy, Trenton has ill-advisedly chosen to increase the State sales tax and pursue toll hikes to compensate for billion-dollar budget shortfalls,” said Assemblyman Rumpf. “Any agenda to alleviate the overbearing tax burden on residents and improve New Jersey’s economic forecast must include a dramatic scaling back of the state bureaucracy. Members of the Governor’s Board need to approach their responsibilities with the understanding of two realities: The state workforce is too large to operate effectively, and taxpayers can’t afford it.”
Assemblyman Van Pelt remarked, “It is no secret that work performed by a number of state departments, divisions and agencies consists basically of taxing or fining residents as a means of sustaining their own existence. Needless to say, the elimination of these and other pointless state positions, combined with other proven efficiencies, would produce desperately needed tax savings. In these difficult economic times, our state’s fiscal policies should reflect the sacrifices made everyday by families who are now forced to do more with less as costs for essential goods and services continue to rise. It’s time for Trenton to finally realize that smaller government is in the best interest of the state.”
The Delegation’s legislation, S-87/A-303, have been assigned to the State Government Committees of their respective Houses.
Link to Post:
Similar Posts:
- Connors, Rumpf & Van Pelt Alert Senior Communities of Pending Common Interest Community Bill Hearing
September 29, 2008 - Connors-Rumpf-Van Pelt: Small Towns Scapegoats of Failed State Fiscal Policies
March 6, 2008 - Connors, Rumpf & Van Pelt Want Towns Reimbursed by the State for Municipal Police and Emergency Services Performed on State Roads
July 30, 2008 - Connors, Rumpf & Van Pelt: Shore Region Hit Hardest by Toll Hike Scheme
September 9, 2008 - Corrupt Politicians’ Pensions Target of Connors, Rumpf & Van Pelt Legislation
November 13, 2008
