Gov. Christie insists his pension overhaul proves he can compromise

TRENTON — Despite being criticized as stubborn, Gov. Chris Christie insists he can compromise. Exhibit A could be the bill he signed Tuesday to overhaul public worker benefits. Here’s a few examples of how he compromised with Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D-Gloucester) and Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver (D-Essex): PENSIONS • Christie’s original proposal would have changed retirement ages for...

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Clik here to view.Saed Hindash/The Star-LedgerGov. Chris Christie signs into legislation the pension and health bill Tuesday June 28, 2011 at the War Memorial Auditorium.

TRENTON — Despite being criticized as stubborn, Gov. Chris Christie insists he can compromise.

Exhibit A could be the bill he signed Tuesday to overhaul public worker benefits.

Here’s a few examples of how he compromised with Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D-Gloucester) and Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver (D-Essex):

PENSIONS

• Christie’s original proposal would have changed retirement ages for current employees, while Sweeney wasn’t seeking any change. They agreed to raise retirement ages for future employees.

• Christie originally wanted to set pension contributions at 8.5 percent for all public workers. The final bill keeps different amounts for different employees, ranging from 7.5 for civilians to 12 percent for judges. It also includes Sweeney’s proposal allowing unions to sue if the state doesn’t make a pension payment.

HEALTH CARE

• Christie wanted all employees to pay 30 percent of their healh insurance premium, while Sweeney wanted payments to be adjusted based on salary so lower-paid employees would pay less. The final bill had a sliding scale similar to Sweeney’s concept.

• Christie and Sweeney both wanted more health care options — including low-cost plans — available to employees. Christie wanted that decided by the state treasurer, but the final bill includes Sweeney’s proposal to leave that up to a new panel comprised of union workers and state managers.

SUNSET

• Oliver tugged the final bill further from Christie’s original plan, insisting on a sunset provision to allow unions to renegotiate health care contributions after four years.

Related coverage:

• Gov. Chris Christie signs N.J. public worker pension overhaul bill

• Gov. Christie calls pension overhaul his 'biggest governmental victory' in exclusive interview

• Gov. Christie praises Sweeney, Oliver for work on health, benefits bill