The Bully's Puppets

by: Couch Potato Politics

Mon Jun 20, 2011 at 10:32:44 PM EDT

What does treason look like?

by: Couch Potato Politics

Sun Jun 19, 2011 at 02:06:14 PM EDT

Feel free to caption!

Ledger Logic

by: Jersey Jazzman

Sat Jun 18, 2011 at 03:07:32 PM EDT

The problem is that Moran's piece is full of illogic, botched facts, and self-contradiction.

Let's start with this:

Inside the Statehouse, within earshot of the rally, senators on the budget committee cast a vote that amounted to a punch in the gut. Public workers would pay more for less, bringing their health and pension benefits back to earth.

Wow - those benefits must be outrageous! We should cheer that we're getting these fat-cat public employees back under control!

Or, you know, not (from the same article):

"What do we do now?" asked Edward Pierce, a CWA member, one of hundreds at the rally wearing the union's trademark red t-shirt. "I think we need to take a more creative approach. They're coming after us."

That people like Pierce will lose health and pension benefits is no cause for celebration. He takes care of the disabled at a developmental center. He is no millionaire. He is not the greedy thug of the governor's imagination.

Well, Tom, which is it? Are middle-class public workers saddling the taxpayers with out-of-this-world benefits, or are he and his fellow workers not "greedy thugs"?

Then there's this:

Ignore Those Who Cry Wolf

by: Couch Potato Politics

Fri Jun 17, 2011 at 06:27:39 PM EDT

Many of those crying out for Chris' firing or resignation are the same people defending Stephen Sweeney and Sheila Oliver and the attack on the public workers right to negotiate either through support or silence, so what is their real reason for keeping the vitriole alive? Labor is in a battle for their very rights and livlihoods and THIS is the top story for them?

We have to ignore the "Boy who cried" wolf distractions and focus on the wolves doing the real damage to public workers and all of labor. We have a hard enough fight on our hands without submitting to the detours and diversions of those who would see us weaker. Chris is a warrior for the cause and has been on the front lines of this battle for more years than most. His passion and his dedication are the exemplar of how we should all feel, even if a few his words at the rally were poorly chosen, his passion was true and he apologized. At this point we can't afford to lose a power and passion like Chris and feeding into the false fracas being generated by our enemies is self defeating and only weakens our movement.

I support Chris and I believe in his passion and I would hope that if you care about the future of labor and the middle class, you do too.

It's time to move on and press forward into the real fight.

Crowd-sourcing legislative interpretation: Norcross money making scheme or benign change?

by: the_promised_land

Fri Jun 17, 2011 at 05:49:05 PM EDT

Section 52 of the bill states that local governments "shall establish such a plan for medical or dental expenses not covered by a health benefits plan." It then goes on to say "The plan SHALL (changing the wording of current law which is "may") provide for a reduction in an employee's salary, through payroll deductions or otherwise, in exchange for payment by the employer of medical or dental expenses not covered by a health benefits plan" and then adds "and may provide for a reduction in an employee's salary, through payroll deductions or otherwise, in exchange for payment by the employer of dependent care expenses."

Scintillating, huh? More below the fold....

Bill places time limits on cancer treatment, mental health care out of state

by: the_promised_land

Thu Jun 16, 2011 at 06:43:16 PM EDT

Let's say you are a state employee whose kid has cancer. Or you suffer from mental illness.

Let's say you live in Gloucester County and you want your kid to go to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Or you live in Hoboken and you've finally found a good psychiatrist in New York.

You're going to have some problems. More below the fold.

NJ Dems Killing People For Corporate Profits

by: princetonblue

Thu Jun 16, 2011 at 08:57:51 AM EDT

One of the provisions in the health care bill bans public workers from receiving out-of-state medical care when there is a reasonable provider of the same care in New Jersey.  In principle, such language sounds reasonable, but in real terms, it prevents New Jersey public workers from being able to consult the experts in New York City and Philadelphia when critical medical treatment is needed.  New Jersey has some good hospitals, and Norcross would like them to get more business (hence the clause), but they aren't often the top hospitals.  

Unfortunately, both my spouse and I have separately had life-threatening medical situations in which the best NJ hospital in the area gave incorrect medical diagnoses.  Fortunately, we could consult with the hospitals in New York City and Philadelphia to get second opinions that proved to be correct.  In my wife's case, the expert doctors indicated that she may have died if we had followed the advice of the NJ doctors.

I'm just one statistic, but in the debate over reining in health care costs (which I support), what is being lost is that some basic human rights are being lost.  I can't help believing that with the current legislation, that Governor Christie, Senator Sweeney and Speaker Oliver would have killed my wife.   I expect that of Christie, but I never thought in this battle over costs that the New Jersey Democrats would have curtailed a basic human right for people to find appropriate health care.

Time is running out, but I would ask any NJ legislators reading this blog to fight to eliminate this truly horrible policy (found in section 76 of Sweeney's bill).  

My Benefits Reform Open Letter to the Legislature

by: firstamend07

Sun Jun 12, 2011 at 12:02:37 PM EDT

You ,the Governor,the Unions, and most government workers are in agreement. The Pension system is in serious trouble and the SHBP is in serious trouble.

All agree that both need to be fixed.

The large majority  now agree that the current Pension Reform legislation proposed by the Senate President is acceptable. No one likes it but it is needed. It is a fair compromise that depends on both sides making financial commitments.

So pension reform will be accomplished ,through legislation,with all parties ,at least ,holding their nose in a needed agreement.

In the case of the SHBP I am happy to see that the unions are not as adamant about making this a part of individual collective bargaining agreements. That is a good thing.

In my view since multiple ,and different ,government unions participate in the same fund,to continue basing the solvency of the fund on individual collective bargaining agreements is a recipe for disaster. A multi-union fund must be funded equally by all the unions. NJEA members cannot be paying less than CWA members ,or vice versa, and still expect to collectively have the same benefit.

This acceptance of legislating the SHBP will not destroy collective bargaining anymore than legislating the pension system destroyed collective bargaining. But, if a union,such as NJEA does not agree than the solution is simple .That union should pull out of the SHBP ,negotiate separately with their government entity ,and join another plan that is more to their liking.

But from now on, the SHBP must be legislated just like the pension plan.

So I have no problem with joining both Reforms into one bill. The Unions are upset about this. I say, " who cares". Once it is decided that the SHBP will be legislated then legislate it!  Instead of being upset the Unions should lobby to change the bill more to their liking.

Having reviewed the SHBP Chart as provided by the Senate President I can accept my deduction as fair. I agree that those who make less should pay less.I also agree that those who want to change their plan should either pay more or less depending on their choice.  

Here is my deduction schedule for a Family Plan based on a salary of $80,000. I currently pay 1.5 % of my salary or $1200/year. Under the Sweeney plan my first year deduction will be REDUCED  to 1.4%. My 2nd year deduction will increase to 2.8% of salary or $2240 year, 3rd year will be 4.2% of salary or $3360year,and finally the 4th year will be 5.7% of salary or $4560/year.

On July 1,2015 I will be paying $4560/year as opposed to the current $1200/year.

I THINK THAT IS VERY FAIR!

In conclusion. No one wants to pay more for anything. However,in order to keep my level of benefits at the current level it is decided that EVERYONE in this pay category has to pay, gradually, $3360 more after 4 years then I say count me as a YES on this reform.

The Sweeney/Norcross Shell Game

by: Jersey Jazzman

Sat Jun 11, 2011 at 04:56:21 PM EDT

And I continue to believe that conflating pensions and health insurance is a diversionary tactic.

So Senate President Steve Sweeney announced his plan to destroy both health care and pensions for public workers this week, and it's as bad for cops, teachers, firefighters, and other public workers as expected.

Workers will have to pay up to 30% of the costs of their health insurance premiums. But what, if anything, will be done to check the skyrocketing price of those premiums? Sweeney won't say.

What he will say is that he absolutely refuses to deal with these two issues separately:

What Is Steve Sweeney Thinking?

by: Jersey Jazzman

Wed May 18, 2011 at 07:00:00 PM EDT

So when one of our leaders wanders toward the dark side, I believe it's our job to pull him back in. We want to help the party stay true to its roots - the roots that will keep New Jersey solidly blue.

It's in that spirit that I have to ask: Senator Sweeney, what the hell are you thinking?  

MLK, Collective Bargaining & NJ Dems

by: nsodano

Mon May 16, 2011 at 09:32:48 PM EDT

Most Americans recall King only as a tireless champion for the civil rights of African-Americans. But he was killed in Memphis while fighting for the collective bargaining rights of public workers. Shortly after his death, those rights were finally secured in Memphis and New Jersey, among other places nationwide.

Sadly, 2011 has seen those rights come under brutal and unrelenting attack. From Ohio's full frontal assault on the fortress of collective bargaining to New Jersey's cynical attempt to tunnel through its foundations, the goal has been the same: to use the economic downturn as an excuse to gut the rights of public workers and take away hard-earned benefits, pensions and wages -- all while cutting taxes for corporations and the rich.

In our state, Gov. Chris Christie has played the role of the anti-MLK, scapegoating public workers as the cause of all the state's problems.

Public workers have tried to do their part to mitigate the effects of Wall Street's profligacy by putting forth a health care proposal that would save New Jersey taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars. But Christie, the man who says he loves collective bargaining, refuses to consider it.

We refuse to forget the rich legacy of King as a fighter for workers' rights. We are grateful we have basic rights on the job, a living wage with decent health care and a secure retirement.

We demand that our right to form a union and have a seat at the table through collective bargaining be honored by our Legislature or we will hold its members accountable in November.

Who Are The Democrats You Can't Count On?

by: Couch Potato Politics

Thu May 12, 2011 at 07:00:49 PM EDT

Thick as Thieves

The only thing missing in the article are the names of those Democrats Sweeney's office are claiming the support of. Could it be part of the deal? Do they fear the wrath and rage of the public workers enough to want to keep their names off of the bill until it is too late to stop the passage?

It seems very telling that the senator's office isn't mentioning names. Maybe
accountability for bad legislation isn't something they want to have? Maybe they
know that legislating healthcare and pension benefits is a bad idea and reeks of
Republican ideology and anti-labor spirit?

Their is a disease permeating the Democrats in New Jersey and it's called
DiNO-syphillis. A disease caught from ideologically laying with Republicans on
the anti-union / anti-labor agenda. The Typhoid Mary Prostitute of this recent
outbreak is, without a doubt, Stephen Sweeney and his pimp is George Norcross,
III.

But, just because the "Bosses" want it, don't count the Assembly out of riding in to save the day:
""The Assembly continues to be increasingly frustrated by the governor's failure to show leadership and do what's he's supposed to do - negotiate a contract that both protects taxpayers and worker rights." - Sheila Oliver

Few Assembly Democrats support Sweeney's pension overhaul plan, sources say

It's time to clean up the Democratic streets of New Jersey and start
demanding a return to the progressive ideals that made New Jersey the jewel of
the Northeast for so many years. Stop the disease by calling every legislator
and letting them know that if they don't stand with labor, they won't stand in
office long. Votes are power and voters have the final authority, not George
Norcross, III or Stephen Sweeney.

S2718: Proof Sweeney is a DINO

by: brendanod

Wed May 11, 2011 at 03:36:33 PM EDT

Senator Sweeney is the kind of democrat that supports legislation that will remove bargaining rights for tens of thousands of unionized employees.  Instead of defending the bargaining rights that spawned the middle class, Sweeney will remove those rights and replace them with law.

I wish there was a way we could revoke the "D" after his name and replace it with a "R", because that is clearly the party he belongs to.

How Can You Tell Your Friends From Your Enemies?

by: Couch Potato Politics

Wed Mar 16, 2011 at 01:00:17 PM EDT

The concerted efforts by the Right Wing to carry the water for corporate
interests over American workers has never been more obvious and never more
sinister, but when you can't even depend on those you thought were your compatriots, well
that is just terrifying.

Now we see the likes of Stephen Sweeney claiming he wants to "Help" labor by
legislating away their bargaining rights on healthcare while Chris Christie and
his administration refuse to discuss healthcare at the bargaining table. What is
the difference between the two? One is playing "Good Cop" while the other is
proud to be the "Bad Cop".  No wonder the unions need to have lawyers at
the table when one side of this political charade is calling labor "Criminals"
and the other side is trying to convince labor to "Take the deal".

Even in Wisconsin, the bally-hoo'd Wisconsin 14 are suffering a defection as
Ted Cullen, the Democrat considered by Scott walker to be "reasonable" in his
conversation with the prank caller posing as David Koch, is proposing a bill in
the Wisconsin Senate to prevent the kind of protest that the Wisconsin Democrats
attempted with his "Simple Majority" amendment as opposed to the "Super
Majority" now required (Read: An olive Branch).

Sadly, New Jersey is microcosm of what is happing all across the country and
now, even in the federal halls of the Senate. see the brag about another Union
Killing proposal being put forward by Senator Jim DeMint of South Carolina (Read: National Right To Work Act).

Sweeney's Trojan Horse

by: Couch Potato Politics

Sat Mar 12, 2011 at 12:10:16 PM EST

Someone said that Sweeney was doing what is best for "The Members". Well now that Scott Walker has shown that spitting in the face of public workers is easy, Sweeney is in lock-step with Christie's goal of killing unions with a thousand little cuts.

Sweeney is handing Christie his first SIGIFICANT win AGAINST the unions members.

"Governor made it clear that he intends to strip health care out of the bargaining process - a direct assault on the same collective bargaining that the Governor has claimed to "love." The State made no proposal on health care today and instead admitted that the Governor intends to "legislate" healthcare, in contradiction to the law and years of precedent in which changes to public worker health care are only enacted by Trenton after they are agreed upon at the bargaining table. We were told that the State will not even respond to a health care proposal from CWA unless it "needs" to because the Legislature doesn't enact his healthcare plan."

You can read the rest of the article.

See CWA press release HERE

It is depressing and shows that Christie has no intention of being either fair or compromise ANYTHING in negotiations.

FA07, So much for your Boy Sweeney being on the side of the PEOPLE!. His Trojan Horse is rolling into Trenton and the public sector workers are about to be attacked.

Making collective bargaining illegal in New Jersey

by: Hetty Rosenstein

Mon Feb 28, 2011 at 07:28:30 AM EST

The issue is not about the schedule of payments.  The issue is that once such a schedule is legislated, in New Jersey, it becomes ILLEGAL to collectively bargain anything else.

It is a back door to making collective bargaining illegal.

CWA and other unions are ready to negotiate over healthcare and everything else.  We have been ready to go to the table for months.  The Governor has now - only finally given us "tentative" bargaining dates for March.

We have always been willing to negotiate and try to figure out how to save services, jobs, and protect workers fairly.  We saved the state hundreds of MILLIONS of dollars in our 2007 contract with Corzine and later again with our MOA that provided for furlough days and a wage freeze in exchange for solid job security.

There is no good reason for the Legislature to pass the Sweeney-Beck bill except that it will cripple collective bargaining in this State.

It must be stopped.

keep reading to find out how...

Tax Policy is the Problem

by: nsodano

Thu Feb 24, 2011 at 11:18:36 PM EST

Income >>>>> Tax rate

$0 and $20,000 >>>   tax rate is 1.4%.

$20,001 and $35,000 >>> tax rate is 1.75%.

$35,001 and $40,000 >>> tax rate is 3.5%.

$40,001 and $75,000 >>> tax rate is 5.525%.

$75,001 and $500,000 >>> tax rate is 6.37%.

$500,001 and over >>> tax rate is 8.97%.

So...
Income 4 times the lowest tax bracket pays a tax rate 4 times higher.

Income 40 times the lowest tax bracket pays a tax rate 6.4 times higher.

Income 400 times the lowest tax bracket (8 million) pays... 6.4 times higher.      Huh?

On 2/24/11, State Senator Shirley Turner proposed that millionaires should pay a rate of 10.75%. What an Outrage!! Not high enough in my opinion. But Governor Christie, who says public workers must pay more, says millionaires pay enough.  Senate President Sweeney is remaining mum on the subject.

Christie Rejects Arbitration Proposals

by: brendanod

Wed Nov 24, 2010 at 01:38:18 PM EST

http://blog.nj.com/njv_editori...

His typical behavior has created an interesting scenario.  Does Christie stand his ground and try and twist some democratic arms (besides the alliances he has forged with the pathetic Essex Dems) to ram through his own proposals?  Does Sweeney and Oliver hold their ground out of fear their core constituency will turn on them as primaries inch ever so closer??  Thus far the democrats have turned their backs to labor nearly as much as Christie has.  I suspect labor will be very energetic for the primaries and for the general in 2011.  Labor has been hammered by the Governor over the past year.  The governor's policies and grandstanding has angered the NJEA, police and fire, CWA, ect..  Trade unions were already hurting because of the recession, Christie's dumping of the ARC has amplified the number of trade labor members going on the dole.

Christie won the governorship because many union members voted their social values and ignored the endorsements of their respective unions.  Those votes are gone now, social values are going to take a back seat to pocketbooks.  I don't know how much longer the Dem's can ignor labor.  Often there will be splits between private and public sector unions.  That spilt is gone as well.

Labor is going to be unified, organized, and ready to spend some money as the primaries near.  Christie drew a line in the sand over this arbitration issue,  will the Dem's push back on this one or let Christie win again?

Does the 2% Cap Matter to Schools?

by: Jersey Jazzman

Tue Jul 06, 2010 at 03:06:45 PM EDT

The NJEA comes out against the Sweeney-Christie 2% cap deal. But don't voters in most towns vote on school budgets anyway? Can't they still reject a budget below the cap?

So, fundamentally, what's different?

S-1 Standoff: Assembly Leadership Holds Strong

by: Adam Gordon at Fair Share Housing Center

Fri Jun 25, 2010 at 07:55:35 AM EDT

With the clock ticking towards Gov. Christie's artificial June 30 deadline for passing the much-reviled S-1, the Assembly Budget Committee yesterday called the Governor's bluff. Gov. Christie had come up with the June 30 deadline because that is when a moratorium on commercial developers paying a 2.5 percent fee on new development for housing trust funds is due to sunset. But everyone in Trenton knew that it was possible to extend the moratorium without simultaneously passing S-1. And yesterday the Assembly Budget Committee unanimously voted out a bill that would do just that.

The reaction: instant fury from Sen. Lesniak and Senate President Sweeney, who vowed not to allow the bill, A3055, see the Senate floor even though it is likely to pass the Assembly Monday with near-unanimous support. Lesniak and Sweeney supported the Governor's fake deadline, with Lesniak calling the four month extension of the moratorium "an absolute waste of time." Never mind that Lesniak himself authored the original bill imposing the year-long moratorium last year, and has been railing against its end for the past six months. (The fee comes from the landmark 2008 housing legislation A-500, and ironically was pushed by the non-residential developers themselves as a way to standardize such fees, which have been around for over two decades, across the state).

What is going on here? More after the jump.