Corzine's real results, Christie's middle finger for working families.

by: Adam L

Fri Sep 25, 2009 at 01:30:00 PM EDT

The state's family leave Insurance program, the second in the nation, began providing workers up to six weeks of benefits starting July 1. To date, more than 5,000 family leave claims have been determined to be eligible. Of those, 4,368, or 81 percent, are for bonding with a newborn or newly adopted child and 1,040, or 19%, are claims for care of a seriously ill family member. Corzine signed the legislation in May.

That is 5,000 more NJ families who are able to spend time with a newborn or a seriously ill family member without the additional stress of lost wages or even a lost job for being out for too long.  Just to provide context here, an article last year about paid family leave noted the following stunning and embarrassing statistics:

Even in favorable economic times, the United States ranks behind other developed countries in regard to many family-friendly workplace policies. According to McGill University's Institute for Health and Social Policy:

• The U.S. is one of only four countries out of 173 in a recent survey that doesn't guarantee some form of paid maternity leave; the others are Liberia, Swaziland and Papua New Guinea.
• Sixty-six countries, but not the U.S., ensure that fathers either receive paid paternity leave or have a right to paid parental leave.
• At least 145 countries provide paid sick days, with 136 providing a week or more annually, while the U.S. has no federal law providing for paid sick days.

Yet, the "compassionate" douchebags conservatives claim that paid family leave is horrible because it is "socialistcommunistfascistblahblahblahantibusiness" and only promotes people being lazy.  Don't believe that?  Check out this from the mental midgets at the Save Jersey Blog, or the praise lavished on former candidate Steve Lonegan when he wanted to repeal this law in NJ or the prize for most "scary words" used by NJ Tax Revolution, because people should just be slave drones to the wonderful corporate machine that chew them up and spits them out and they should be happy to just have a job - let alone be treated as humans.

Or, you know, as workers who don't have to worry about losing their job or house or falling behind on their other bills while they care for a seriously ill family member or a newborn - which of course, they should have to pay for out of pocket too because we wouldn't want to take money out of the pockets of Big Insurance and their executives.

But I digress.

While I haven't found any quotes directly from Christie on this particular law (shocker), there is a pattern of him siding with big business against NJ families on issues such as this (for example, there is no mention of families at all in the healthcare section of his website).  There is this quote from a recent NY Times article:

Republicans still have a top of the ticket that will not protect women's rights in Trenton," a Corzine spokeswoman, Elisabeth Smith, said in an e-mail message that also mentioned Mr. Christie's opposition to the state's paid family leave law.

And there is this thinly veiled attack on the paid family leave legislation:

Corzine let stand Gov. Jim McGreevey's executive order requiring union-level wages on state projects. And he has backed other union causes, including paid family leave, which is funded by paycheck deductions, and a law that lets unions represent workers once they have a simple majority of the workers signed up.

Lonegan and Christie oppose all those measures.

"In difficult economic times like this, we don't need to be adding more costs to business," said Christie. "I think my job is to get New Jersey working again."

Once again showing that Christie sides with business and has no clue whatsoever about the pain and struggle that most families and New Jerseyans are facing every single day.

Paid Family Leave is law

by: Juan Melli

Fri May 02, 2008 at 03:49:28 PM EDT

Thurman Hart guest writes at the DMI Blog about how his family relied on the Federal Medical Leave Act, and how much more useful New Jersey's law will be to struggling families.

What business leaders have to learn is that helping their employees deal with life isn't anti-business. California has shown that absenteeism and job abandonment decline when people can take time off of work to help their families. That should be a no-brainer. A worker who is distracted by thoughts of their sick child or ailing parent is not a productive worker. FMLA is a boon to families who can afford to take it, but there are very few families who can totally forego a paycheck for an extended period. This is life in America in the twenty-first century. Fortunately, public policy in New Jersey is catching up.

"This family leave insurance bill is personally significant to me. When I was in the hospital after my accident last spring, it was the strong support from my family that kept me going. I was fortunate my family members had the flexibility to be there for me, day-in and day-out. But not everyone has that luxury.

I believe the daily reality of the lives of New Jersey families makes this historic law a necessity. I am confident this self-funded family insurance program will improve family life, fill a gap in our social contract with our citizens, and attract workers to this state. More than ever, I am proud to sign this bill into law on behalf of all working New Jerseyans."

"By now, you all know of my strong conviction for this legislation, because I was in a similar situation when my 14 year-old daughter, Lauren was born.  My employer was understanding, and allowed me to take the time I needed.  Had my employment situation been different, I could have had a difficult time balancing spending the 75 days at the hospital with my newborn daughter, or going to work to provide for my wife and young son.  This new law is aimed at helping workers whose employers won't allow them to take this necessary leave time."

"This is a good day for workers and their families because we've injected some heart into the world of business. This new law will help families deal with what's really important in life - being there for loved ones in times of need."

"I am predicting once again that the sky will not fall now that this bill has been signed into law after what has been a 12-year struggle for working families. Just the way the sky stayed put when we lowered the blood alcohol limit for drunken driving, banned smoking in public places and passed a 48-hour stay for new moms and their babies, life as we know it will continue - and families will be much better off - now that we finally have paid family leave."

"If time with a loved one, a partner in life, or a newborn is missed because of work, it can't be made up. This law will ensure there's meaning in the work world to 'family values.'"

A tale of two papers- Paid Family Leave Edition

by: Jason Springer

Wed Apr 09, 2008 at 10:50:29 AM EDT

Today, we have the Star Ledger calling the Chamber on their crap, while the Courier continues to do their bidding by shoveling some more of it.  Let's go to the papers.  We have the Star Ledger editorial, "Scare talk on Paid Family Leave" battling the Courier Editorial, "With Family leave, jobs leave".  Are you scared from the title because I know I'll be sleeping with a nightlight.  The Ledger begins...

Spring has arrived, but Scrooge is still firmly ensconced in Trenton. Scrooge would be the state Chamber of Commerce and other staunch opponents of paid family leave. A sensible, compassionate paid family leave bill has, finally, passed the Legislature and Gov. Jon Corzine promises to sign it shortly. Yet the critics will not let up on their drumbeat of doom.

Paid family leave will be the death of small business, the naysayers insist; it will drive more businesses out of the state; it will never be able to support itself on the 64 cents or so to be deducted from employees' paychecks each week. The way the Chamber and others yelp, you would think Lenin's embalmed body had been transferred to the Statehouse dome, followed by an order for mandatory Communist Party membership for all.

Paid family leave will further drive employers away from New Jersey.

It was not unexpected that the state Senate approved paid family leave for New Jersey workers. With Gov. Jon Corzine already having pledged his support, family leave is now inevitable.

It's too bad our state lawmakers cannot see the error of this. New Jersey is already a state that many businesses don't want to move to. Taxes for both businesses and their employees are extremely high. Government regulations are complex and arduous. Traffic is heavy.

Wanted: Paid Family Leave Education

by: Matt Feinstein

Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 09:49:14 AM EDT

I have noticed a great deal of support for PFL among this community and I am hoping that someone can take the time to write a response to Mr. Lonegan's piece. I kindly ask that any response is factually based and includes numbers, rather than a personal attack on Mr. Lonegan (Note: I say this because too frequently on other websites I have seen  people respond with such words, rather than providing a clear message to be carried forward by others).

I have included a link to the post by Mr. Lonegan and I look forward to understanding more about this incredibly important issue.

They're the gang that couldn't shoot straight... but they can do damage anyway

Senate Paid Family Leave vote coming soon

by: Juan Melli

Wed Mar 19, 2008 at 11:57:50 AM EDT

The paid family leave bill, which would allow private sector and government workers to take six weeks of paid leave to care for newborns or sick family members, is expected to get a Senate vote by the end of next month. Senate President Richard Codey (D-Essex) is planning to add a Senate meeting either this month or next, his office said.

The meeting would include voting on the paid family leave bill and perhaps voting to confirm Gov. Jon Corzine's nominee for treasurer, David Rousseau, Codey's office said.

Senate will NOT vote on Paid Family Leave Monday

by: Jason Springer

Fri Mar 14, 2008 at 04:48:45 PM EDT

"Following the advice that Legislative Counsel under the Office of Legislative Services gave to both houses, the Assembly took the step Thursday of substituting A-873 for S-786 since the state constitution requires all bills related to revenues to originate in the General Assembly.

"Subsequent to the initial guidance given by OLS, a different opinion has been offered to the minority party ? adding procedural uncertainty to the situation.

"While we steadfastly believe in the validity of our actions - based on the initial advice of OLS - we will err of the side of caution. We have respectfully asked the Senate President not to put the  paid family leave bill before the Senate for a final vote on Monday.

"This bill is simply too important to be jeopardized by legal confusion.

"New Jersey will offer all workers a paid benefit so they can deal with pressing family matters without fear of financial ruin. All the last-minute GOP parliamentary games in the world will only put the inevitable off to another day."

How they voted on Paid Family Leave (in the Assembly)

by: Juan Melli

Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 06:52:58 PM EDT

With a few exceptions, it was mostly a party-line vote, with most Democrats voting for it while most Republicans voted against.

There were only a handful of cross-over votes. On the Democratic side, Assemblyman Matthew Milan voted against it, while Republican Assemblymen John Amodeo and Ronald Dance voted in favor.

Assemblymembers Joan Voss (D) and Joseph Malone (R) abstained.

How they voted on Paid Family Leave (Assembly Labor Committee)

by: Juan Melli

Tue Mar 11, 2008 at 06:03:55 PM EDT

Yesterday the Assembly Labor Committee voted 8-4 to clear the bill. It was a party line vote with Democrats voting in favor of the legislation and Republicans voting against.

How they voted on Paid Family Leave [A873/S786]
Pro-family Pou, Nellie Vainieri Huttle, Valerie Albano, Nelson T. Barnes, Peter J., III Burzichelli, John J. Conaway, Herb, Jr. Greenwald, Louis D. Ramos, Ruben J., Jr.	Anti-family Addiego, Dawn Marie Doherty, Michael J. Merkt, Richard A. Thompson, Samuel D.

It's scheduled to be voted on by the full Assembly on Thursday. Since this version was amended from the one passed in the Senate,  the Senate would have to revote next week.

What was she waiting for?

by: Jason Springer

Thu Mar 06, 2008 at 10:43:03 PM EST

New Jersey's attorney general says a paid family leave bill might leave small businesses susceptible to lawsuits.

Anne Milgram suggests changes to prevent employees who take leave but lose their jobs from suing.

Update- From the Star Ledger...

In a written opinion, Deputy Attorney General John Bender didn't think the bill offered enough protections for business owners.

Bender issued his legal opinion to the labor commissioner on Feb. 27 -- the day before the Assembly Labor Committee approved the bill. There was no mention of Bender's letter or discussion of possible amendments at the hearing, nor was there discussion of it when the full Senate passed the measure 22-16 on Monday.

Socolow explained to reporters today he and the bill's sponsors weren't ready to take action. "We were still digesting the opinion," he said. "We got it the day before the committee, and we were talking about what to do. We weren't going to have amendments ready" the next day.

The bill (S786) is scheduled for a hearing before the Assembly Appropriations Committee on Monday, Socolow said.

"We are working with sponsors on new language, and if the legislators choose to opt for amendments, they will have the opportunity to present those and pass a revised bill," Socolow said.

If that happens, the bill would have to return to the Senate for a new vote agreeing with the changes.

How they voted on Paid Family Leave

by: Juan Melli

Wed Mar 05, 2008 at 10:58:23 PM EST

Even though the NJ legislature website is supposed to post the roll call on votes, it takes them a long time to do it (in internet time, anyway). Maybe they're dragging their feet hoping people forget to check the next day. Or maybe they haven't discovered the computer yet. The abacus is pretty cool, but kind of slow. My guess is this is just a manifestation of an inefficient government.

Either way, they should look into fixing that. If they can get a board to light up red and green lights to indicate how someone votes, they can easily put those votes into a database and online. And since I'm asking for stuff that will never happen, permalinks would be nice, too.

Anyway, below is how the Senate voted on S786, the legislation to provide partial paid family leave to workers. Note that while Republicans constantly (and correctly) point out how expensive it is to live in this state, they almost all voted against giving working families a leg up. All hat, no cattle.

The vote was largely along party lines, though Bill Baroni (R) voted in favor of the bill while Shirley Turner (D) voted against it. Diane Allen (R) and Ron Rice (D) didn't vote.

On Monday, the Assembly Appropriations Committee will consider the legislation and the bill will be up for a full vote next Thursday. We'll be watching and post a diary just like this one to let you know how they voted. Jump below for the contact information for the members of the Assembly Appropriations Committee. Ask them to support Paid Family Leave (A873).

How they voted on Paid Family Leave [S786]
Pro-family Adler, John H. Baroni, Bill Buono, Barbara Codey, Richard J. Cunningham, Sandra B. Gill, Nia H. Girgenti, John A. Gordon, Robert M. Lesniak, Raymond J. Madden, Fred H., Jr. Redd, Dana Van Drew, Jeff Vitale, Joseph F. Weinberg, Loretta Whelan, Jim Ruiz, M. Teresa Sacco, Nicholas J. Sarlo, Paul A. Scutari, Nicholas P. Smith, Bob Stack, Brian P. Sweeney, Stephen M.	Anti-family Bateman, Christopher Beck, Jennifer Bucco, Anthony R. Cardinale, Gerald Ciesla, Andrew R. Connors, Christopher J. Haines, Philip E. Kean, Sean T. Kean, Thomas H., Jr. Kyrillos, Joseph M., Jr. Lance, Leonard O'Toole, Kevin J. Oroho, Steven V. Pennacchio, Joseph Singer, Robert W. Turner, Shirley K.	Not voting Allen, Diane B. Rice, Ronald L.

S786/Family Leave posted for Monday!

by: firstamend07

Wed Feb 27, 2008 at 08:07:45 PM EST

This is it. This will be the critical vote. If the Bill passes the Senate on Monday it will clear easily in the Assembly and be law by the middle of March.

As stated many times, we can't get out worked again. We need 21 votes. It will be very close. We need to lobby those legislators who are feeling the pressure of the Anti-Family Business Lobby.

There are 5 key Senators who must be called and e-mailed. Turner and Gill are probably voting NO but they need to hear from people.  Last minute changes are always possible. State Senator Rice, for some reason, is starting to change his mind. He REALLY must be contacted.

Two Republicans, Baroni and Haines, want to vote YES, but need some persuasion.

It appears that we have twenty, we need 21 .

Kirschner and that crowd will be using all their money and influence to beat this again.

Let us beat them this time!  

Paid Family Leave Vote Tomorrow!

by: firstamend07

Wed Feb 27, 2008 at 05:01:00 PM EST

The Committee is 6-3 Democrats. Three of the members, Egan, Oliver, and Scalera are co-sponsors .The Bill needs two additional votes from either Cohen, DeAngelo, or Evans. The Republicans are Dancer, Doherty, and Webber.

Phone calls and e-mails tothe Democrats on the Committee are needed to ensure no "Shirley Turner type" defections.

There are 4 major hurdles, this is hurdle #2.We need to get this to the Assembly for a floor vote .

Then the big battle, the Senate !  

Tell NJ Legislators, 'Pass Family Leave Insurance NOW!'

by: Bergen County AFL-CIO

Thu Jan 24, 2008 at 02:18:01 PM EST

Last year, Family Leave Insurance almost became a reality in New Jersey. While the bill failed to pass last legislative session, this is the farthest it had moved through the legislative process since it was first introduced in 1992. Let's keep up the momentum to pass this important bill.

Click here to tell our Legislators, "Stop Stalling, We Need Family Leave Insurance NOW!"

On Monday, January 28, the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee will hold hearings on Family Leave Insurance (S786). Please take a moment to send the members of the committee a letter asking them support Family Leave Insurance. This is the first step to passing this critical piece of legislation.

Statehouse Chatter

by: Jay Lassiter

Wed Jan 23, 2008 at 02:11:16 PM EST

Heard around Trenton

Looks like the Family Medical Leave bill is back on the docket!  This Monday (the 28th) Chairwoman Barbara Buono has budget committee hearings scheduled and Family Leave is number three on the playlist.  To confirm, thats January 28th, committee room 4, 1pm at the statehouse.

This is terrific news as Sen Buono was one of the original sponsors of this legislation that stalled in committee over the lame duck.  And now she runs the panel taking it up first.  

If you're so inclined come show your support on Monday, because I know the business community will have their lobbying game on, too.  Last time we got thoroughly out-hustled by the nay-sayers who managed to keep the bill from advancing out of Assembly Labor Committee.

Personally I don't want the progressives have their head handed to them again as we did last time when the assumption was "this'll pass the lame duck no prob."

Seen around Trenton

This one from the shady ladies who lunch file:  I was sitting in Cafe NJ (the Statehouse eatery) minding my own beeswax when I saw one of the cafeteria workers put out a tray of food to indicate today's specials.

No sooner did Miss Thing arrange the entrees just so and walk away.... when someone comes by and scoops up the whole tray of food and casually walks off!

It happened so fast I didn't even have time to be judgmental about it.  

In any event, this is the first time in my career that I have tagged a blog post with the word "shoplifting."

Codey/Roberts Have Big Plans for 2008

by: Juan Melli

Fri Jan 04, 2008 at 04:16:34 PM EST

Senate President Richard J. Codey and Assembly Speaker Joseph J. Roberts, Jr. today announced that they will make a united push for loophole-free pay to play reform, a wheeling ban, clean elections renewal, an overhaul of the legislative ethics committee, and a modernized legislative ethics code in the new session beginning January 8.

The Legislature's presiding officers also said they will make it a priority to pass a  paid family leave insurance bill and legislation to promote affordable housing in 2008. [...]

"We have a unique opportunity to restore the public's confidence about the integrity of their government institutions and their elected officials," said Roberts (D-Camden).  "We need to harness the Legislature's sweeping membership turnover as a vehicle for establishing higher ethical standards and new laws to fight corruption, malfeasance, and influence peddling."

Roberts: Paid Family Leave Not A Question Of If, But When

by: Juan Melli

Thu Dec 13, 2007 at 04:26:08 PM EST

Following up on the previous post, Assembly Speaker Joe Roberts just issued a statement saying the caucus has some concerns with the bill as written, though he believes paid family leave "will soon become law in New Jersey":

"The Assembly Majority Caucus spent the better part of an hour discussing the paid-family leave issue from all sides.  Members expressed significant support and significant concerns about the legislation.

"It was clear from the scope of discussion that we will need more time to work through some issues, such as the bill's impact on small businesses, the potential for abuse, and the timing of some of the bill's provisions.

"These issues are surmountable and it is my belief that a paid-family-leave insurance bill will soon become law in New Jersey.  It's not a question of if, it's a question of when."

Paid Family Leave On Hold

by: Juan Melli

Thu Dec 13, 2007 at 03:59:53 PM EST

Corzine Stands Up for Paid Family Leave

by: Juan Melli

Wed Dec 12, 2007 at 03:39:22 PM EST

"To re-emphasize the point I made yesterday, the proposed family leave insurance legislation has no new mandates on small businesses with 50 or fewer employees.  The legislation contains no new requirements for any business, and has no requirement that a small business hold a position open while an employee is receiving family leave insurance benefits.

"If a small business chooses to deny family leave, the only way an employee can receive family leave insurance benefits is to quit the job - an option that is highly unattractive.  Based on the experience of California, most workers faced with this impossible decision chose to remain employed and received no benefits. Having to choose to quit your job in order to receive family leave insurance benefits is really no choice at all.

"Ideally every worker should be able to provide care for loved ones and maintain a limited income during a time of family crisis, secure in their ability to return quickly to their job.  I wholeheartedly support this legislation and its promise to provide financial support for workers who are in need of leave and have the ability to take it."

Letter to Editor from Bergen AFL-CIO President on Paid Family Leave

by: Bergen County AFL-CIO

Thu Dec 06, 2007 at 01:45:53 PM EST

Misinformation on family leave

Regarding "Business community shunning family leave deal" (Business, Page B-1, Nov. 28):

The misinformation by the business community on paid family leave is astounding. This bill does not give workers any extra rights or privileges; it only adds a financial component to an already existing law. The Family and Medical Leave Act states that a covered employer must grant an eligible employee up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave to care for a sick loved one, a newborn child or a newly adopted child.

Paid Family Leave- " IT'S ALIVE!"

by: firstamend07

Thu Dec 06, 2007 at 06:39:06 AM EST

The Labor Unions have finally awakened and are now asking their membership to act. Pro Family Leave Bill organizations are now scrambling to make Speaker Joe Roberts putthe Bill up for a vote.

I salute Jon Shure and his 10 lb. bologna stunt yesterday!

The contributors to this site have made their voices heard.

The Bill now has a chance.

But only with continued pressure.

Even activists fall  into the trap of " let someone else do it" .  Many wanted the Paid Family Leave Bill to pass but most deducted that " someone else" will do the work.

The " monster" that is the Progressive Citizen has been awakened! As the good doctor screamed, " IT'S ALIVE!"