'We are not going to give up our efforts to find progress,' said Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver
A March 2010 file photo of the Assembly Chamber.TRENTON — Assembly leaders today put on hold their proposal to reform the binding-arbitration process after members of the Democratic majority balked at signing on to the legislation.
The measure (A-3393) was introduced last week amid great fanfare. Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver (D-Essex) and Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D-Gloucester) held a Statehouse news conference to announce the contents of their bill. It called for arbitrators to take the economy and the new property tax cap into account when deciding salary levels for public-worker unions.
The measure was advertised as a compromise after Gov. Chris Christie announced he wanted a "hard cap" that would limit raises to the 2 percent that property taxes can grow by each year.
Shortly before the Assembly began its session, Oliver issued a statement saying: “The Assembly Democrats had a thorough discussion of this bill today as we continue our efforts to combat property taxes ... We are postponing our vote on this bill, but we are not going to give up our efforts to find progress on this important issue. We are committed to getting this done for the benefit of New Jersey taxpayers."
She also called on Christie to consider compromising. "The governor must be open to legislation that does not, as his current plan would do, guarantee annual property tax increases."
The Assembly's decision came after Essex County Executive Joe DiVincenzo and Elizabeth Mayor Chris Bollwage expressed public opposition to the measure.
Christie's office did not have an immediate reaction to the Assembly's change of plans.
Previous coverage:
• Gov. Christie issues ultimatum to N.J. Legislature on property tax proposals
• Gov. Christie calls on N.J. lawmakers to take up reform packages
• N.J. towns, cities face rise in appeals, less property tax revenue
• Gov. Christie blames delay of N.J. pension, education, tax overhaul on Democrats
• N.J. Senate President Sweeney says bill seeking property tax cap exception for police, firefighters won't pass