Kyrillos: “Is The Cost of Unused Sick Leave Payments Sinking in Yet?”
Senator Calls for Immediate Vote or Justification from Senate Leadership
“In total, these municipalities (Newark, Atlantic City, Camden, Jersey City, Trenton, South Brunswick, East Orange, Hackensack) paid more than $39 million last year to more than 700 employees who cashed in their unused sick and vacation time.”
–The Star-Ledger, 4/11/2011
Trenton— In light of new information showing eight municipalities in New Jersey paid out $39 million in terminal leave payments to departing public employees, Senator Joe Kyrillos (R- Monmouth/Middlesex) called for Senate Democrats to explain their continued defense of the practice:
“I have to wonder if the cost to the taxpayers of this outrageous public employee perk is sinking in with my Democrat colleagues.”
“Even more frustrating is that some of the municipalities with the largest terminal leave debts are also recipients of huge amounts of state aid, paid for by the rest of the state’s beleaguered taxpayers.”
“Contrary to the claims of Trenton special interests defending the practice, sick leave is not a form of deferred compensation. These payments are wrong in any amount and must be ended, not just capped, by the Legislature. This is a vote the Senate needs to hold this month.”
“If the Majority party continues its crusade to preserve these payments, the taxpayers deserve an explanation as to why they should pay for a public employee perk that the majority of New Jersey workers do not receive themselves.”
More from my site
Kyrillos: “Another Day, Another $1 Million In Taxpayer-Funded Boat Checks Down the Drain”
KYRILLOS STATEMENT ON SECOND JERSEY CITY SICK LEAVE BOND IN A YEAR
Kyrillos: “Is it Ever Enough for Trenton Democrats?”
O’Scanlon Testifies Against “Use Our Kids as Pawns to Enrich Corrupt Companies” Legislation
Kyrillos Submits “The School Children First Act” Reforming Teacher Tenure and Pay
Kyrillos Commends Action On SCAT Employees
Kyrillos Pushes Bill Empowering Parents to Force Education Reform
Sen. Kyrillos Participates In Roundtable Discussion on Education Reform
Shadow Lake Cleanup Clears Budget Committee
Kyrillos “Grow New Jersey” Legislation Gets Senate Approval
This is only the tip of the iceberg which struck the NJ Titanic.
Early Retirement, long before the retiree is eligible for Medicare (currently age 65), whether for paid police and fire, teachers or other public employees (state and municipal) entitled to lifetime health benefits, is a major impediment to reducing overall costs.
Retirement age must be raised as well as the age at which a retiree can receive lifetime health benefits. Until medicare is primary, the costs of retiree health benefits must be shared by the retiree.
Governor Christie, Senator Kyrillos and others are trying, but until we elect a legislature which will stop pandering to public employees for votes, we as taxpayers will never see costs contained and even reduced.
Workers Comp, Health Benefits, Pensions as well as Salary structure must all be substantially reformed.
Ultimately, we need to debate just what we want government to do for us and what we are willing to pay for those services.
That government which governs least, governs best. Responsibility for our own future lies with each one of us.
Real reformation of the state’s debt crisis would include elected officials giving up their own perks. Is Joe K willing to do that? Will he opt out of the state pension system and save the taxpayers a few hundred K? If not, he is just another windbag trying to get votes from his base. I know, I know, its not illegal, so it’s ok to take from the public. NJ needs less hypocrisy and more personal responsibility from its elected officials. Be a real leader and lead by example- not rhetoric- Joe. If you do, maybe you’ll get support from both sides of the aisle.