30,000 rally in new jersey against budget cuts: one of the largest protests in state history

[Hannah Bell]

Over 30,000 teachers, public workers, retirees and community activists protested on Saturday in Trenton, New Jersey’s state capital, against Governor Chris Christie’s massive budget cuts. The rally had been called by a coalition of community organizations and trade unions...

Under Christie’s new budget plan—which calls for the elimination of nearly $1 billion in state aid to schools—thousands of teachers statewide will lose their jobs and sports and arts programs will be cut.

The new budget will cut after-school programs, adult education programs and higher education budgets as well as assistance to free lunch programs for poor children, and a special rent rebate for elderly and disabled tenants.

Christie has also proposed legislation that will attack other public employees. His plan includes the elimination of seniority protection for public employees, an increase in employee contributions to health care and pensions, and raising the retirement age from 62 to 65 years. The state legislature will vote on the cuts by June 30.

http://www.wsws.org/articles/2010/may2010/newj-m24.shtml

[eppur_se_muova]

1. Rec to un-unrec the unrec by the unreccing robots. nt

[4_TN_TITANS]

2. Just as was predicted here

before NJ elected that Ass.