Gov. Chris Christie today signed into law controversial legislation that will force public employees to pay more for their pension and health insurance. Christie, who signed the bill flanked by a bipartisan cast of mayors, said passage of the bill is his biggest legislative victory since taking office.
“It is important moment for the state of New Jersey, for its citizens, its taxpayers and New Jersey has once again become a model for America,” Christie said at the bill signing.
Starting on Friday, public employees across all levels of government will pay an additional percent of their pay into the pension system.
Employees will begin to pay more for their health insurance when their contracts expire. For those without contracts or with contracts that have already expired, the increased payments could begin as soon as January, when new health insurance plans are expected to be completed. Star Ledger.
As a public employee for years we have given up large raises in order to good health care. No I wish I didn’t , I pay all my taxes, not like many small business owners who cheat on there’s by not reporting all their income.
christie cannot fix the financial woes of this state on the backs of the public union worker. we will now be paying what the private sector pays for health cov., but our earnings are far below what private sector is paying. (i am an equipment operator for the county, look up the annual salary online. its public record.) he says we will pay more into the pension program when the state ransacked it and squandered millions from the pension system and NEVER paid any of it back, or kept up with its obligation to contribute its share into the system! (look that up online too!) i’m not saying i shouldnt pay more. i understand many people in this state are struggling with healthcare costs, just dont bankrupt me in the process.
The township recently changed health benefits from qualcare to aetna so it could put all of its employees under one roof. This also means it is cheaper for the township. We of course no one told the employees that Aetna is not recognized by many of the healthcare systems in our area and that many doctors do not participate. So not only are we getting cheaper healthcare, we now have to pay more. for poor quality healthcare oversight. If this is so great, than let the township go back to qualcare with the money being paid to offset costs and keep the healthcare local instead of its employees having to go out of county or town. that is also money lost because now I am paying someone elses rateables to live better instead of leaving the money in my own county.
Look it up on line. public worker make more than private workers. BTW NJ is bankrupt because of the workers. Private sector jobs only give into the state. People think that all money belongs to the state. Gvt workers think that they are doing someone a favor and that they are a better class citizen. Go try to work in the private sector and find out what REAL work is.
When they say a larger percent they are talking about 30% in some cases family’s of public workers already have both spouses working and now just making this is going to break the bank for some! Oh well at least the rich don’t have to “share the pain”.
I have zero sympathy for public workers no matter what, because I work in Trenton near the statehouse in one of the few private sector businesses left in Trenton.Most of my firms clientele is state workers.They ALL tell me that the only way to get a job with the state is having connections.Merit doesn’t count.