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6-16-11 In the News - Trenton Heats Up
USA Today - Public workers to protest benefits bill in NJ Public worker unions are planning a show of strength as the New Jersey Legislature considers a bill to take employee health benefits off the bargaining table. (Delli Santi, The Associated Press)

Asbury Park Press - NJEA at war with Dems Gov. Chris Christie and New Jersey’s top lawmakers announced an agreement on pension and benefits reform late Wednesday, hours after the New Jersey Education Association launched a scathing attack on the plan and in the process declared war on the Democratic Party it has long supported.

Politickernj.com - Under NJEA attack, Norcross enlists Florio, Booker to defend his education reform initiatives

Njspotlight.com - New School Reform Group Comes to the Table Very Well Funded...Better Education for Kids, or B4K, can dip into hedge fund money to help get its message across

USA Today - Public workers to protest benefits bill in NJ

 

Posted 6/16/2011 6:50 AM ET

By Angela Delli Santi, Associated Press

TRENTON, N.J. — Public worker unions will flex some muscle in New Jersey as the Legislature hears a bill to take employee health benefits off the bargaining table.

The state teachers union, police and firefighters, CWA and AFL-CIO plan to send protesters to a workers' rights rally at the Statehouse on Thursday.

The unions want health benefits to continue to be negotiated, not legislated. Many Democrats agree. The bill is likely to move through the Legislature without the support of a majority of Democrats who control both houses, a rare occurrence.

The rally comes the morning after Gov. Chris Christie, a Republican, announced an agreement on the bill with Democrats who lead the Senate and Assembly.

"The Senate budget committee will hear the legislation we have agreed upon and I am confident the bill will pass, move on to Assembly Budget Committee, then a full vote by the full Assembly," Christie said Wednesday night at a business forum in Princeton.

"In the meantime, all five of us (he and legislative leaders of both parties) have decided that we can save the partisanship for November. We can save the useless bickering for the election. We can save the excuses and the finger-pointing for then. It's our job to lead and to get things done."

Details of the agreement weren't immediately released.

The trio has been working on legislation that would require 500,000 public workers to shoulder a larger share of their health insurance premiums and pay more into their pension fund.

The retirement systems are underfunded by a combined $110 billion.

New Jersey is among several states where Republican governors have moved to restrict collective bargaining.

In Wisconsin, state employees will start paying more for their health care and pension benefits in late August, but a coalition of unions filed a new lawsuit Wednesday against the GOP-supported plan that strips away collective bargaining rights from most public workers.

The plan prohibits workers from collectively bargaining over anything except base pay increases no greater than inflation. Local police, firefighters and state patrol are exempt. It also requires workers to pay 12 percent of their health insurance costs and 5.8 percent of their pension costs, which amount to an 8 percent pay cut on average.

A new law signed by Ohio Gov. John Kasich in March limits bargaining by public employee unions, affecting about 350,000 police, firefighters, teachers and other public workers. The Ohio law has not yet gone into effect and opponents are collecting signatures in an effort to put the issue on the November ballot.

In Michigan, the Republican state Senate has passed and sent to the House measures to require most public employees to cover at least 20 percent of the cost of buying their health insurance coverage, with some flexibility for local bargaining units. Collective-bargaining changes seemed to be a harder sell in New Jersey, where Democrats control the Legislature and all 120 legislators are up for re-election in November.

The New Jersey bill would legislate premium-sharing for health care and require 500,000 public workers to pay a higher percentage of their salary into their pension fund. Both retirement systems — pensions and health care — are underfunded by a combined $110 billion.

The average New Jersey public worker earning $60,000 now contributes $900 toward health care, or 1.5 percent of their salary, regardless of their plan. Under a new tiered system, that same worker could pay $2,056 (3.4 percent of salary) a year for single coverage and $3,230 (5.4 percent of salary) for a family plan.

The Communications Workers of America criticized the new benefits contribution grid as unrealistic because it doesn't take inevitable health care cost increases into account.

The bill sponsor, Senate President Stephen Sweeney, said it's unrealistic to expect taxpayers to continue to fund soaring health care costs for public workers.

A survey of public and private employers by the nonprofit Kaiser Family Foundation last year found that workers with employer-sponsored health plans on average paid 19 percent of the premium for single coverage and 30 percent for family coverage. Those in state and local government paid the lowest percentage — on average 9 percent of the premium for single coverage and 25 percent for family, the survey found.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Politickernj.com - Under NJEA attack, Norcross enlists Florio, Booker to defend his education reform initiatives

By Timothy J. Carroll | June 15th, 2011 - 8:11pm

CINNAMINSON – With a cast of formidable personas ready to call teachers’ union attack ads nothing but a proxy fight against education reform, South Jersey power broker and insurance broker George Norcross stood to defend his name today.

The New Jersey Education Association went head hunting today with ads accusing Senate President Steve Sweeney of protecting Norcross by introducing legislation to reform pension and benefits that they say is both bad for employees and bad for the state.

The only problem, Norcross said today, is that the ads are less an attack on his pension and benefits stance – he is keeping mum if he has one – but rather because he has been uncharacteristically vocal about voucher programs, charter schools, and other education reforms opposed by the NJEA.

“Their union and leadership,” he said, “They’re defending the indefensible.”

It’s time, he said, for people with “influence, power, (and) financial well-being to affect change” in schools. “It’s probably pure politics,” he said, that “there haven’t been reforms that have taken place in education (already).”

Norcross, who is regularly in the news for his connections to politicians, said he’s led a private life for the last 30 years until he came out in support of a Camden charter initiative that drew Gov. Chris Christie down to South Jersey as well. The result was the recent advertising assault, which Norcross said is "attempting to intimidate, frighten – whatever – me, Steve Sweeney, and others.” It won’t work, he said.

He called on the Legislature – who are handling landmark reform, an education bill from the courts, and what seems to be a tight, austere budget in the next few weeks – to pass legislation guaranteeing charter school reform and allowing boards of education to transfer failing schools to charter or private operators.

He said the NJEA campaign could backfire, unleashing a “groundswell of support to affect change.”

He only took one question from the press this evening, which was in regards to the potential benefits to himself and his company if a part of Sweeney’s legislation that would create an opening for insurance brokers – although it has been removed from the bill – were to have gone through. He said his company does over $1 billion in business across the country annually and called the potential business from public agencies “immaterial” to his success. He also called the numbers circulated by the NJEA today on brokerage fees “factually inaccurate” because they are based on estimates. Part of the NJEA’s issue is that the actual cost for brokers is not transparent or readily available.

He turned the question back on the NJEA and said he would be “embarrassed” if his “work product” was as unsuccessful as the state’s schools.

“Some of us gotta get serious,” he said. “I’m embarrassed by the Democratic Party, to be honest with you…We should be the leaders in education reform…This is about a fundamental right.”

NJEA President Barbara Keshishian issued a statement in response to Norcross’ claim that the ads are about his reform ideas. “That is absolutely untrue,” she said. “Mr. Norcross’s role as an insurance broker – and the relationship he has to Sen. Steve Sweeney, who is attempting to change how New Jersey’s school employees receive and pay for health benefits – has been in the news for several months… (He is) trying to distract people from the kinds of questions being raised by many outside of NJEA, including (by) some Republican supporters of health benefit reform.”

“Mr. Norcross’s positions on the privatization of public education are well known,” she said. “But they are not the issue right now. The only issue is whether any legislation that is passed will put the interests of taxpayers ahead of the interests of insurance brokers. So far, the proposed legislation fails to do so.”

Newark Mayor Cory Booker was one of the prominent figures standing at Norcross’ back today. “When leaders have the courage to say let’s try new things, do real things, substantive things,” Booker said, like Norcross and Sweeney, “those leaders should not be attacked, they should not be vilified, they should not be lied on.”

“This is not a time to point blame,” he said, calling the ads “a departure from the sensible,” and “painful and poisonous.”

“Let’s raise a level of dialogue,” Booker asked. “We cannot keep blaming each other when our children, at the end, fail and falter.”

Former Gov. Jim Florio came as a “spokesperson for civility,” calling the ads “the very opposite of responsible, the very opposite of constructive dialogue.”

“We try to think of teachers – and I think the vast majority of them are – as role models,” Florio said. “And that’s not what it is we’ve seen (in these ads)…I would hope that teachers themselves would reach out to their leaders.”

Former NJEA senior executive Jeannine LaRue said she can’t recall the union “going after a citizen,” as she referred to the non-office holding Norcross, in an ad campaign “They really wanted to go after him for the education reform,” she alleged, noting that she encouraged the NJEA to explore schooling-option programs at her time there.

“Competition is healthy,” she said. “I believe that even the public schools will perform better.”

The Rev. Reginald Jackson, executive director of the N.J. Black Ministers’ Council, said in regards to the education reform movement, “I salute George Norcross, I salute Steve Sweeney, in fact, I applaud Gov. Christie…Our fight is not with the NJEA, but our fight is on behalf of our children.”

Also speaking on Norcross’ behalf were Msgr. Michael Doyle, pastor of Sacred Heart R.C. Church in Camden; Chancellor Wendell Pritchett of Rutgers University-Camden; and Dr. Gloria Bonilla-Santiago, chairwoman of LEAP Academy University Charter School in Camden.
Both U.S. Rep. Rob Andrews (D-NJ) and the Rev. Joseph Galante, bishop of the Diocese of Camden, sent statements at his defense.

Andrews said, “As part of his family's longstanding commitment to the City of Camden, George Norcross has stepped forward to support efforts to improve the quality of education for the city's children. As the leader of the city's largest employer, Cooper University Medical Center, he has correctly emphasized the impossibility of fostering a growing city without a strong education system. The effort to give all the city's children the education they need and deserve requires cooperation among all those with a stake in the city's future – not negative attacks on those who would dare to suggest that we try new approaches to solve old problems. Instead of spending its resources attacking Mr. Norcross and those who seek a better city, the state NJEA leadership should join local leaders – including local NJEA members – in a common effort to improve education for the children of Camden.”

 

 

Njspotlight.com - New School Reform Group Comes to the Table Very Well Funded

Better Education for Kids, or B4K, can dip into hedge fund money to help get its message across

By John Mooney, June 16 in Education|Post a Comment

With education reform at center stage in New Jersey politics, a new political action organization is expected to launch today with a $1 million media campaign addressing teacher quality.

Related Links

Better Education for Kids (B4K) has posted a press release on its fledgling website, describing itself as a 501c(4) organization, a non-profit permitted to promote political causes. It is led by prominent school choice activist Derrell Bradford as executive director and funded through two wealthy financiers and philanthropists, David Tepper and Alan Fournier.

When contacted last evening, Bradford confirmed the launch and said the group was aiming to promote issues like tenure reform, merit pay and other issues affecting teacher and principal quality.

These issues have been the centerpiece of Gov. Chris Christie’s education platform, although increasingly picked up by some leading Democrats.

"Special interests have dominated our public education system for decades," Bradford is quoted in the press release, dated for today. "They like the status quo, but our parents and kids don't. It's time for us -- parents, students and concerned citizens -- to stand up and make sure our public education system puts our children's interests first."

"We can change the status quo and bring an independent voice against the special interests. We have an opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of New Jersey kids. And we can make that difference now."

The first television ad, which it said will be broadcast statewide, is posted on the site. The group will be based in New Brunswick, in downtown offices off George Street.

Bradford had been executive director of Excellent Education for Everyone (E3), a decade-old group that has almost single-handedly led the fight for private school vouchers in New Jersey. He left to direct B4K.

The debate over vouchers has only heightened of late under Christie, a big supporter, with a tuition tax credit bill that would provide up to $12,000 "scholarships" to low-income student as close as ever to passage in the legislature.

The proposed Opportunity Scholarship Act (OSA) is not listed as core issue in B4K’s mission.

The creation of B4K adds another well-financed player to the fever-pitched school reform debates that have dominated Trenton for the past year, if not longer. Of course, the biggest player remains the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA) , the state’s dominant teachers union, which is sure to drop millions of dollars into its own advertising campaign. Last year, with no elections, the NJEA spent $6 million.

The union is already deep into the public debate over the latest pension and benefit proposals being backed by Christie and some Democratic legislative leaders, with massive television advertising underway and thousands of union members expected to descend on Trenton today.

NJEA officials last night said they had known of the new group for a couple of weeks and were aware of the coming media buy.

"There is serious hedge fund money coming into New Jersey -- that’s who's behind this -- and this is a serious opening salvo in the public arena for those who want to privatize public education," said Steve Wollmer, the NJEA’s communications director.

He said the NJEA has indeed has its own expensive media campaign planned. "But whatever we spend will pale in comparison to what they’ll spend," Wollmer said. "They are bringing big money."

The individuals providing the initial backing to B4K do indeed bring significant resources. Tepper is a successful hedge fund manager, the founder of Appaloosa Management, and also known as a generous philanthropist to education and other causes. A native of Pittsburg now living in Livingston, Tepper gave $55 million to Carnegie Mellon University and what is now the David S. Tepper School of Business.

Fournier established Pennant Capital Management, also a hedge fund. He had previously worked with Tepper at Appaloosa Management. The press release said his charitable interests have included St. Anthony's High School, Community Food Bank of New Jersey, New Jersey SEEDS, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Newark, TEAM Schools of New Jersey and the All Stars Project of New Jersey.

 

 

Njspotlight.com - New School Reform Group Comes to the Table Very Well Funded

Better Education for Kids, or B4K, can dip into hedge fund money to help get its message across

By John Mooney, June 16 in Education|Post a Comment

With education reform at center stage in New Jersey politics, a new political action organization is expected to launch today with a $1 million media campaign addressing teacher quality.

Related Links

Better Education for Kids (B4K) has posted a press release on its fledgling website, describing itself as a 501c(4) organization, a non-profit permitted to promote political causes. It is led by prominent school choice activist Derrell Bradford as executive director and funded through two wealthy financiers and philanthropists, David Tepper and Alan Fournier.

When contacted last evening, Bradford confirmed the launch and said the group was aiming to promote issues like tenure reform, merit pay and other issues affecting teacher and principal quality.

These issues have been the centerpiece of Gov. Chris Christie’s education platform, although increasingly picked up by some leading Democrats.

"Special interests have dominated our public education system for decades," Bradford is quoted in the press release, dated for today. "They like the status quo, but our parents and kids don't. It's time for us -- parents, students and concerned citizens -- to stand up and make sure our public education system puts our children's interests first."

"We can change the status quo and bring an independent voice against the special interests. We have an opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of New Jersey kids. And we can make that difference now."

The first television ad, which it said will be broadcast statewide, is posted on the site. The group will be based in New Brunswick, in downtown offices off George Street.

Bradford had been executive director of Excellent Education for Everyone (E3), a decade-old group that has almost single-handedly led the fight for private school vouchers in New Jersey. He left to direct B4K.

The debate over vouchers has only heightened of late under Christie, a big supporter, with a tuition tax credit bill that would provide up to $12,000 "scholarships" to low-income student as close as ever to passage in the legislature.

The proposed Opportunity Scholarship Act (OSA) is not listed as core issue in B4K’s mission.

The creation of B4K adds another well-financed player to the fever-pitched school reform debates that have dominated Trenton for the past year, if not longer. Of course, the biggest player remains the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA) , the state’s dominant teachers union, which is sure to drop millions of dollars into its own advertising campaign. Last year, with no elections, the NJEA spent $6 million.

The union is already deep into the public debate over the latest pension and benefit proposals being backed by Christie and some Democratic legislative leaders, with massive television advertising underway and thousands of union members expected to descend on Trenton today.

NJEA officials last night said they had known of the new group for a couple of weeks and were aware of the coming media buy.

"There is serious hedge fund money coming into New Jersey -- that’s who's behind this -- and this is a serious opening salvo in the public arena for those who want to privatize public education," said Steve Wollmer, the NJEA’s communications director.

He said the NJEA has indeed has its own expensive media campaign planned. "But whatever we spend will pale in comparison to what they’ll spend," Wollmer said. "They are bringing big money."

The individuals providing the initial backing to B4K do indeed bring significant resources. Tepper is a successful hedge fund manager, the founder of Appaloosa Management, and also known as a generous philanthropist to education and other causes. A native of Pittsburg now living in Livingston, Tepper gave $55 million to Carnegie Mellon University and what is now the David S. Tepper School of Business.

Fournier established Pennant Capital Management, also a hedge fund. He had previously worked with Tepper at Appaloosa Management. The press release said his charitable interests have included St. Anthony's High School, Community Food Bank of New Jersey, New Jersey SEEDS, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Newark, TEAM Schools of New Jersey and the All Stars Project of New Jersey.