Browsing Posts in Legislative Blog

September, 2011

September 15, 2011 Gerard J. Meara

Since the Executive Board meeting of June 29, 2011, a battle over Governor Christie sweeping vetoes of the Democratic budget ensued. Shortly after Christie wiped out most Democratic sponsored restorations of funds for key state programs, Senate President Sweeney fiercely attacked the Governor and the vetoes, and attempted to override many of the line item vetoes in the FY ’12 Budget. However, with few exceptions, the Republicans backed Christie’s actions and the override attempts failed to win the two-thirds needed.

 

Recently, updated state revenue figures show that the Christie Administration underestimated FY ’12 revenues by $100 million. In fact, the new numbers are much closer to the Democrats and OLS’ budget estimates. Given this promising news there is speculation that the…

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JUNE, 2011

June 28, 2011 Gerard J. Meara

Below is a list of bills that Council 73 is working for or against based on their impact on AFSCME NJ members.

  

S-2937/A-4133    Health and Pension Benefit Reduction

 

Sponsored by Senate President Sweeney and Assembly Speaker Oliver, these bills overhaul health and pension benefits for all current and future public employees and current public sector retirees. Bills were approved by both houses and signed by Governor Christie on June 27th.

 

S-1730              NJ First: Residency Requirement Bill

 

Sponsored by Senator Donald Norcross, this initiative to require all newly hired public employees to live in the State of New Jersey, was conditionally vetoed by Governor Christie. The legislature subsequently concurred with Christie’s changes and the bill is now

law.

 

S-2928             Developmental Center Closure Commission

 

Senator Jeff Van Drew…

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December 2010

December 8, 2010 Gerard J. Meara

Here are some of the priority bills that AFSCME Council 73 is following closely. Provided are the relevant bill numbers, sponsors, brief description, and AFSCME Council 73’s position on the legislation.

 

 

                                           ***TOOL KIT ALERT***

On Monday December 6th, bills were introduced in the Senate and Assembly that address some of the tool kit proposals put forth by Governor Christie. Senate President Sweeney is the sponsor of S-2391 and Assemblywoman Stender has introduced an identical bill in the General Assembly, A-3590. The bills are an improvement over the Governor’s ideas but still negatively impact current civil service rights and raise serious concerns for public employees. Initial hearings on these two bills are scheduled for 12-9-2010. AFSCME Council 73 will be aggressively fighting…

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September 2010 Legislative Watch

September 22, 2010 Gerard J. Meara

AFSCME Council 73 LEGISLATIVE WATCH

September 2010

  Here are some of the priority bills that AFSCME Council 73 is following closely. Provided are the relevant bill numbers, sponsors, brief description, and AFSCME Council 73’s position on the legislation.

 

A-557 (Handlin)

Increases disciplinary penalties for sick leave violations.  (OPPOSE)

 

A-662/S-1255 (Greenstein/Madden/Van Drew)

Non-Imposition: prevents public employers from unilaterally imposing a contract.   (SUPPORT)

 

A-664  (Greenstein/Scalera)

Guarantees Health benefits for eligible employees after 25 years of service.  (SUPPORT)`

 

A-672/S-1117  (Greenstein/Spencer/Van Drew)

Scope of Bargaining: Increases and expands the issues that public employee union can negotiate.  (SUPPORT)

 

A-1612, A-1613, A-1805 (O’Scalan/Casagrande)

The bills attack public employee benefits related to sick leave upon retirement (reduce to $10,000), accumulation of sick leave (must use within one year), and reduces state holidays from 13 to 10.  (OPPOSE)

 

A-2037  (Moriarity)

Cancels…

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Legislative Update – May 18, 2010

May 21, 2010 Gerard J. Meara

AFSCME Council 73

 

Legislative Update: May 18, 2010

 

 

 

A-557 (Handlin)

Increases disciplinary penalties for sick leave violations. Assigned to State Government Committee. (OPPOSE)

A-662/S-1255 (Greenstein/Madden/Van Drew)

Non-Imposition: prevents public employers from unilaterally imposing a contract. Assigned to Labor Committees.   (SUPPORT)

 

A-664  (Greenstein/Scalera)

Guarantees Health benefits for eligible employees after 25 years of service. Assigned to State Government Committee. (SUPPORT)`

A-672/S-1117  (Greenstein/Spencer/Van Drew)

Scope of Bargaining: Increases and expands the issues that public employee union can negotiate. Assigned to Labor Committees. (SUPPORT)

 

A-2620 ( O’Scanlon) . This bill would change the PERS pension formula for all time earned after Jan. 1, 2011. It reduces…

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AFSCME Council 73 Legislative Watch

April 13, 2010 Gerard J. Meara

More than four thousand bills have been introduced in the State Legislature since the start of the new term in January, 2010. Many of these proposals, if enacted, could have a direct impact on AFSCME Council 73 members and their families. Here are some of the priority bills that AFSCME Council 73 is following closely. Provided are the relevant bill numbers, sponsors, brief description, Committee assignment, and AFSCME Council 73’s position on the legislation.

A-557 (Handlin)
Increases disciplinary penalties for sick leave violations. Assigned to State Government Committee. (OPPOSE)

A-662/S-1255 (Greenstein/Madden/Van Drew)
Non-Imposition: prevents public employers from unilaterally imposing a contract. Assigned to Labor Committees.   (SUPPORT)

A-664  (Greenstein/Scalera)
Guarantees Health benefits for eligible employees after 25 years of service. Assigned to State Government Committee. (SUPPORT)`

A-672/S-1117  (Greenstein/Spencer/Van…

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