AP: NJ paves way on tightening public worker benefits

[Omaha Steve]

http://apnews.excite.com/article/20110702/D9O7NFDG2.html

Jul 2, 3:55 PM (ET)

By BETH DeFALCO

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - The nation's financial downturn left many states in such a precarious position that they were forced this year to make tough decisions on expensive but long-untouchable public employee benefits.

Nowhere was this breakthrough more evident than in union-friendly New Jersey, where a Republican governor aided by Democrats enacted sweeping cost-saving changes that touched pensions and health care simultaneously.

Experts say the overhaul is not only significant in scope, but also marks a pivotal moment as other states look to defuse the ticking time-bomb employee benefit obligations have become as a result of the recession, government benefits becoming more generous than those in the private sector, and poor planning by politicians.

With one bill, New Jersey increased required pension contributions, increased the amount workers will pay for health benefits, raised the retirement age, and eliminated automatic cost-of-living increases for current retirees among other things.

The ideas aren't new, experts said, but New Jersey's success in adopting a comprehensive solution rather than taking a piecemeal approach is noteworthy.

FULL story at link.

[Wilms]

1. More like bulldozed.

No mention of war and unemployment. Just workers making a wage that allows them to spend a few dollars that would beef up the tax revenue.

She's got hers. F everyone else.