TRENTON — Leaders of independent state and local authorities would not be able to make more than the governor’s $175,000 salary if a bill that passed the state Assembly today becomes law. Under the bill, which passed 77-0, new authority executive directors would not be able to make more than the governor, while other employees would not be able...
A March 2010 file photo of the Assembly Chamber.TRENTON — Leaders of independent state and local authorities would not be able to make more than the governor’s $175,000 salary if a bill that passed the state Assembly today becomes law.
Under the bill, which passed 77-0, new authority executive directors would not be able to make more than the governor, while other employees would not be able to make more than the $141,000 state cabinet officer salary unless approved by the Local Finance Board or the State Treasurer.
Authorities would also face more stringent benefit guidelines that are in line with state workers. Their employees’ sick leave payments would also be capped at the same level as for state employees, at $15,000. Also like state workers, they would be required to contribute 1.5 percent of their salaries towards health care benefits.
Gov. Chris Christie raised a stink about former Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission Executive Director Bryan Christiansen’s $313,000 salary soon after taking office this year.
A report issued by one of Gov. Chris Christie’s transition teams early this year found that 27 executives at independent authorities around the state made more than the governor.
Both the Assembly and Senate are expected to also hear a bill that would give county freeholder directors the authority to veto the actions of county authorities. County executives already have that authority, but 16 of New Jersey’s 21 counties do not have executives.
More coverage:
• N.J. legislation would limit benefits offered from independent authorities
• Salaries of N.J. school superintendents may be next on chopping block
• Gov. Christie to propose permanent caps on salary raises for public workers
• N.J. Gov. Chris Christie aims to cap salaries of nonprofit group executives to $141K
• Embattled Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission chief quits $313K-a-year job
• Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission faces more scrutiny of salaries, hiring
• Christie calls $313K pay for N.J. sewer exec 'outrageous'