newjerseynewsroom.com

Democrats respond that governor has blocked their bills

BY TOM HESTER SR.

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

The legislative election is over and Gov. Chris Christie tells us he not running for president in 2012 so the verbal rock throwing between the Republican governor and the Democratic-controlled Legislature begun anew Tuesday.

The governor’s office cast the first stone, issuing a statement that declared, “With just 56 days remaining in the 2010-11 legislative session, let’s hope the Legislature gets back from their current vacation ready to finally address some of New Jersey’s most pressing issues."

Christie wants to see action on a long list of his proposals for improving public schools, civil service, sick leave, ethics and “shadow government” reform, and his “tool kit“ designed to cut government spending.

The Assembly Democratic office picked up the stone and tossed back.

“I see the governor’s office found some time in between the governor hanging out in California chatting about Mitt Romney to write a press release,” Tom Hester, a spokesman, said. “Perhaps if it spent more time focused on New Jersey, it would:

“Remember that the Legislature passed sick leave and civil service reform, only to have it vetoed by the governor himself. D’oh.

“Finally explain in-depth how much those so-called tool kit bills would save taxpayers, then admit it’s state aid cuts led to the highest property tax increase in New Jersey since 2007. D’oh again.”

As of Tuesday, the Assembly plans to be in Trenton seven times between Monday and Dec. 15 and, so far, has scheduled a voting session for Dec. 5. The Senate plans to hold committee meetings on Monday and will return to the capital four times, and has scheduled a voting session for Dec. 15. The current legislative session ends Dec. 31 and any bill not voted upon would have to be reintroduced in the 2012-13 session that begins Jan. 1.

Here is the legislation Christie wants to see considered:

• The Opportunity Scholarship Act (S-1872/A-2810) which establishes a five-year pilot program to provide tax credits to entities contributing to scholarships for certain low-income students.

• The School Children First Act (S-2881/A-4168) to provide for an educator evaluation system based on multiple measures of teacher effectiveness.

• The Urban Hope Act (S-3002/A-4264) which provides for the creation of as many as ten “transformation school projects” in the worst performing districts.

• Charter Reform (A-4167) to provide critical updates to strengthen and improve New Jersey’s charter law.

• Civil Service Reform (CV of A3590). Legislature-passed Civil Service Reform failed to include the critically needed opt-out and furlough options for municipalities.

• End Abuse of Sick and Vacation Day Benefits (CV of A2220). Public employee unused sick leave and vacation payouts cost New Jersey taxpayers over $43 million in 2010.

• Ethics Reform Package, Introduced in September 2010. Act to bring accountability and transparency to the Legislature through increased disclosure (CV of A2768)

• Act on Bipartisan legislation to extend oversight and accountability to the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commissioners and the North Jersey District Water Supply Commission.

• Act on governor’s Comprehensive Shadow Government Reform Legislation.

*A-1646/S-1781 Directs that one sample ballot shall be delivered to each residence address where at least one resident thereof is registered to vote.

* A-2951/S-2174 Eliminate eligibility for state retirement systems for non- government groups and associations.

* A-2958/S-2012 Allows gross income tax refunds to be credited against a taxpayer's delinquent local property taxes.

* A-2953/S-2024 Permits layoff plans as substitute for employment reconciliation plans for joint meetings or shared service agreements under certain circumstances.

* A-2955/S-2135 Employee Discipline Reform. Limits right of appeal of disciplinary action taken by employer against certain public employees.

* A-2960/S-2043 Concerns collective negotiations for school employees; repeals law prohibiting school boards from imposing terms and conditions of employment.

* A-2961/S-2025 Authorizes executive county superintendent of schools to require implementation of shared services arrangements and to approve school district collective negotiations agreements prior to execution of agreement.

* A-2962/S-2027 Concerns collective negotiations for public institutions of higher education.

* A-2963/S-2026 Amends State college law to remove certain employees from civil service system and allow boards of trustees to conduct collective bargaining.

* A-2964 Authorizes the establishment of probationary periods for non-tenured faculty members at state colleges. Amends State college law to allow boards of trustees to conduct collective bargaining. Amends State college law to remove certain employees from civil service system.