New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie proposed a $32.9 billion budget Tuesday that allows more poor residents to enroll in Medicaid and increases public school aid but defers property tax rebates for three months.
Gov. Christie is unlikely to agree to any tax increases, but foregoing the annual payment into the state pension system is not an option, due to legal requirements.
New Jersey faces a series of increasingly urgent budget pressures, including keeping pension and health insurance promises to retirees, funding health care for the poor and repairing aging roads and bridges, said three independent experts who published a report examining the state's financial condition Thursday.
The Senate Budget Committee voted to give the state's lowest-paid hourly employees a $1.25 per hour raise on Monday, following about two hours of debate over whether a minimum wage increase would spur New Jersey's sluggish economy or kill precious jobs.
A New Jersey Senate panel narrowly passed a resolution Monday that would ask voters to approve a minimum wage increase next year along with automatic yearly adjustments.
Gov. Chris Christie calls them "boat checks;" he and the Legislature agree it's time to stop large end-of-career payouts for retiring school administrators, police and firefighters.
The judge threw out a lawsuit brought by teachers, police officers, firefighters and public workers challenging a law that requires them to pay more for their pensions and health benefits.
More than a third of New Jersey counties and towns are wasting millions of dollars on health insurance brokers and premiums when switching to the state's plan would be cheaper, a new audit has found.