The move followed a contentious four-hour hearing where 25 labor union members were arrested
TRENTON — The Senate Budget Committee has approved a bill (S2937) to change pension and health benefits after a contentious four-hour hearing where 25 labor union members were arrested.
The bill now moves on to the full Senate vote and Assembly Budget Committee hearing on Monday.
The vote was 9 to 4, with four Democrats joining with Republicans to vote yes: Jeff Van Drew (D-Cape May), Teresa Ruiz (D-Essex), Brian Stack (D-Hudson) and James Beach (D-Camden).
“All politicians love to be loved. They like to be endorsed. They want to make everybody happy. At times you can’t do that,” said Van Drew. “We have to have real pension reform. If we don’t, the system is not going to be there.”
Opponents concentrated on what they said was an end-run around the collective bargaining process for health benefits.
“The reason for my vote, plain and simple, is collective bargaining,” said state Sen. Linda Greenstein (D-Middlesex), who represents a district with many public workers.
Previous coverage:
• Some N.J. Democrats tell protesters they will not vote for public worker pension overhaul
• N.J. Democrats are unable to win unions over on proposed benefits deal
• Read the pension and health benefits reform bill, tell us what you find