Tuesday, November 15, 2011

NJ Legislature Out To Lunch On Key Bills

THE NEW JERSEY LEGISLATURE HAS FAILED TO TAKE ACTION ON KEY ELEMENTS OF GOVERNOR CHRISTIE’S REFORM AGENDA

Education Reform

· Failed to take action on the Opportunity Scholarship Act (S-1872/A-2810) which establishes a five-year pilot program to provide tax credits to entities contributing to scholarships for certain low-income students.

· Failed to take action on the School Children First Act (S-2881/A-4168) to provide for an educator evaluation system based on multiple measures of teacher effectiveness.

· Failed to take action on the Urban Hope Act (S-3002/A-4264) which provides for the creation of as many as ten “transformation school projects” in the worst performing districts.

· Failed to act on Charter Reform (A-4167) to provide critical updates to strengthen and improve New Jersey’s charter law.

Civil Service Reform

· Failed to Act on Real Civil Service Reform (CV of A3590)

o Legislature-passed Civil Service Reform failed to include the critically needed opt-out and furlough options for municipalities.

Sick Leave Reform

· Failed to End Abuse of Sick and Vacation Day Benefits (CV of A2220)

o Public employee unused sick leave and vacation payouts cost New Jersey taxpayers over $43 million in 2010.

Ethics Reform

· Failed to take up Governor Christie’s Ethics Reform Package, Introduced back in September, 2010.

· Failed to Act to bring Accountability and Transparency to the Legislature through Increased Disclosure (CV of A2768)

Shadow Government Reform

· Failed to Act on Bipartisan Legislation to Extend Oversight and Accountability to the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commissioners and the North Jersey District Water Supply Commission.

· Failed to Act on Governor Christie’s Comprehensive Shadow Government Reform Legislation.

MEANWHILE, SEVERAL OTHER CRITICAL TOOL KIT REFORM BILLS 
LANGUISH IN THE LEGISLATURE

A-1646/S-1781
Directs that one sample ballot shall be delivered to each residence address where at least one resident thereof is registered to vote.

A-2951/S-2174
Eliminate eligibility for State retirement systems for non- government groups and associations.

A-2958/S-2012
Allows gross income tax refunds to be credited against a taxpayer's delinquent local property taxes.

A-2953/S-2024
Permits layoff plans as substitute for employment reconciliation plans for joint meetings or shared service agreements under certain circumstances.

A-2955/S-2135
Employee Discipline Reform. Limits right of appeal of disciplinary action taken by employer against certain public employees.

A-2960/S-2043
Concerns collective negotiations for school employees; repeals law prohibiting school boards from imposing terms and conditions of employment.

A-2961/S-2025
Authorizes executive county superintendent of schools to require implementation of shared services arrangements and to approve school district collective negotiations agreements prior to execution of agreement.

A-2962/S-2027
Concerns collective negotiations for public institutions of higher education.

A-2963/S-2026
Amends State college law to remove certain employees from civil service system and allow boards of trustees to conduct collective bargaining.

A-2964/S-2172
Authorizes the establishment of probationary periods for non-tenured faculty members at State colleges.

A-3219
Amends State college law to allow boards of trustees to conduct collective bargaining.

A-3220
Amends State college law to remove certain employees from civil service system.

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