Senate Leaders Promise Swift Action on Bipartisan Pension Reform Bills
Measures Would Protect Retirements of Rank-and-File Public Employees, Require Government to Meet Its Obligations
Senate President Stephen M. Sweeney and Senate Republican Leader Thomas Kean announced that bipartisan legislation to complete the unfinished business of reforming the state’s public employee pension and benefits system first begun nearly four years ago was formally introduced last night in the Senate.
The four bills would return the pension and benefits system to its original goal of ensuring the retirements of rank-and-file public employees and constitutionally require government to meet its annual pension obligations.
Doherty Health Benefits Reform Measure Introduced in Senate
Senator Michael Doherty, R-Warren, introduced legislation Senate today that would establish an employee cost sharing arrangement for the State Employees Health Benefits Program (SHBP) and the School Employees Health Benefits Program (SEHBP). The measure is part of a four-bill package designed to safeguard the state’s pension and benefits system.
“It is clear that the New Jersey’s pensions and health benefits systems are on the verge of financial collapse,” Doherty stated. “It is imperative that reforms be passed now to prevent the complete collapse of the system.”
Doherty: Governor Christie Hits the Mark with Executive Order Banning Unfunded Mandates
Senator Michael Doherty, a member of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement regarding Governor Chris Christie’s Executive Order banning most unfunded state mandates.
Doherty stated, “Governor Christie took an important first step towards lowering New Jersey’s highest in the nation property taxes with an Executive Order banning unfunded state mandates. For far too long Trenton politicians and bureaucrats have ignored the clear intent of state statute and inundated local government with expensive and arbitrary unfunded mandates.”
Doherty Stunned that Senate Labor Panel Advances Job-Killing Legislation
Bills Will Make New Jersey Less Affordable for All
Senator Michael Doherty, a member of the Senate Labor Committee, said he was stunned that the committee chose to release six pieces of legislation guaranteed to create more unemployment in New Jersey during the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression.
“Prevailing wage laws boost unemployment, especially among the poor and members of minority groups, and increase the tax burden on middle class New Jersey,” Doherty said. “It is disappointing that certain members of this body chose to reward a politically powerful few at the expense of everyone in the state – especially the poor and middle class.
New Law Sponsored by Senator Doherty Helps Small Towns
Two-Year Extension for Recycling Coordinator Certification
Senator Michael Doherty, R-Warren/Hunterdon, said he is pleased that his legislation giving municipalities a two-year extension on requirements to train a certified recycling coordinator has been signed into law.
“Many recycling coordinators are volunteers or part-time employees who get little or no extra pay for ensuring that their towns are in compliance with recycling laws,” Doherty stated. “A recession is the wrong time to force cash-strapped towns to pay the extra expense of training and increased compensation to meet new certification requirements.”
New Senator Michael Doherty Vows to Represent District 23 With Energy, Character and Honor
Republican Michael Doherty, born in Point Pleasant and raised in Glen Ridge, became the senator of the people of District 23 today at a State House ceremony attended by his family, friends and supporters. Senator Doherty, 46, pledged that he will represent his constituents with energy, character and honor.
Mike Doherty being sworn-in as the new Senator representing the 23rd legislative district in the New Jersey Senate on November 23, 2009.
“I am humbled and honored by the trust that the people of District 23 have put in me,” Senator Doherty said. “It is their interests that I will represent in Trenton, and their interests alone.”
