Oroho Highlights Ending Double Dip Loophole for Elected Officials in Pension Reform Legislation
Senator Steve Oroho (R-24) issued the following statement today after the Senate passed S-2937, comprehensive pension reform legislation. Included in the bill is a provision that will prevent elected officials from collecting two public checks at the same time for the same job.
“Since my first days in the Senate I have been pushing to close a loophole in our state’s pension system where elected officials may collect a pension, while continuing to receive a salary in the same elected office from which they supposedly retired. I believe that on pension reform, we, as elected officials, must lead by example or we lack credibility.
Tom Kean: “Today, the Taxpayers Won”
Lauds Senate Passage of Historic Pension, Benefits Reforms
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean, Jr. (R- Union) issued this statement following Senate passage of S-2937, reforming public employee pension and health benefits:
“Today, the taxpayers won.”
“The compromise legislation passed by the Senate will save taxpayers well in excess of $100 billion over the long term and induce a near immediate reduction of local property taxes.”
Statement of Senator Joe Pennacchio on the Pension and Health Benefits Reform Bill Vote
Senator Joe Pennacchio, a member of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee and a Prime-Sponsor of the pension and health care benefits reform measure, issued the following statement regarding the Senate passage of S-2739.
“Every one acknowledges that the State Pension system is in serious financial trouble. In fact, in 2005 then Governor Codey ordered a study on the viability of the state’s pension system by a task force headed by Philip Murphy. The commission recommended sweeping and fundamental changes to the state’s pension system. We did nothing.
Singer: “Nazi Comments Reflect Poorly on Opponents of Pension and Benefits Reform”
In response to comments made yesterday by an opponent of legislation reforming the state pension and benefits system for public employees comparing the Governor and Legislative leaders to Nazis, Senator Robert Singer (R- Ocean/Mercer/Burlington/Monmouth) issued the following statement:
“As someone of the Jewish faith who lost family in the Holocaust, I find comments made as part of yesterday’s demonstrations comparing Governor Christie, Senate President Sweeney, and Assembly Speaker Oliver to Adolf Hitler and the Nazis deeply offensive. There is simply no excuse, none, for those comparisons to be made in legitimate political discourse. Yesterday’s comments reflected poorly on both the individual making them as well as the organization he represented.”
Pennacchio Statement on Rescue of Pension and Health Benefits System
Measure Will Save Property Taxpayers More Than $100 Billion
Senator Joe Pennacchio, a member of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement regarding the compromise reached on pension and health benefits reform by the Legislature and the Governor. Senator Pennacchio will be a Co-Prime sponsor of the legislation, S-2397.
“The pension and health benefits reform agreement reached today will save the taxpayers of New Jersey more than $100 billion. This tax relief will help middle-class families preserve the high quality of life in New Jersey.
“It is clear to everyone that the current pension and health benefits package is unsustainable. Public employees were made promises that were unsustainable, that the state could never keep.
Doherty to Hold Town Hall Meeting on “Fair School Funding” Plan
Senator Michael Doherty, a member of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee, announced today that he will hold a town hall meeting on his “Fair School Funding” plan. The town hall meeting will be held Wednesday, June 15, at the Clinton Township Middle School at 7 P.M.
Doherty Praises Hunterdon County’s Support of the Fair School Funding Solution
Senator Michael Doherty, a member of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement regarding the Hunterdon County Board of Chosen Freeholders’ support of his Fair School Funding Solution:
“The Hunterdon County Board of Chosen Freeholders, elected to represent the interests of the citizens of Hunterdon County, have passed a resolution supporting a fair school funding formula that treats all children across the state equally. The Freeholders have acknowledged the language in the state constitution is clear: state aid must be distributed equally.
Oroho Welcomes Pension Reform for Elected Officials as Part of Comprehensive Pension Reform Proposal
Senator Steve Oroho (R-24) issued the following statement regarding yesterday’s Senate voting session in which legislation (S-1875) he sponsored to prevent elected officials from simultaneously collecting a public pension and salary for the same elected position was held from a vote:
“Although my bill was held, I was assured by Senate President Sweeney that the effort to end this pension loophole which I’ve been continuing to champion will be considered in the larger context of the comprehensive pension reform proposal.
Senate Passes Connors, Rumpf & Gove “Hooked on Fishing – Not on Drugs” Measure
The State Senate unanimously approved legislation sponsored by Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove that would establish a “Hooked on Fishing – Not on Drugs” (HOFNOD) program within the Division of Fish and Wildlife to encourage children to avoid drug use.
Hooked on Fishing – Not on Drugs is a nationally recognized program developed by the Future Fisherman Foundation which has operated successfully in over a dozen states. The Connors-Rumpf-Gove bill would establish the HOFNOD program on a Statewide basis by enabling the Division of Fish and Wildlife to implement and model the program after the pilot HOFNOD program implemented in Ocean County in 2000. To the maximum extent possible, the division will implement and operate the program in every county in the State.
Bateman Applauds Governor’s Realistic Energy Master Plan
Senator Christopher “Kip” Bateman (Somerset/Morris), a member of the Senate Environment Committee, issued the following statement today after Governor Chris Christie revealed the state’s 2011 draft Energy Master Plan:
“The Governor’s plan lays a strong foundation to expand on our state’s energy independence while protecting the environment and growing the economy. By putting a bigger emphasis on cleaner technologies and green jobs, the plan put forth will permit New Jersey to reduce its energy consumption, and at the same time lower our emissions of greenhouse gases.
