Sweeney Wants Campaign Contributions Dispite His Failure To Act On Public Worker Pensions

 Excerpts
TRENTON — Senate President Stephen Sweeney said Wednesday that threats by public worker unions to withhold campaign contributions unless the Senate passes pension legislation amounts to "bribery" and "extortion" and should be investigated by state and federal officials.

At a Statehouse news conference, Sweeney (D-Gloucester) responded to reports the state's largest teachers union, the New Jersey Education Association, told county Democratic Party chairmen it wouldn't release campaign cash until next spring as a cudgel to force action on a proposed constitutional amendment guaranteeing billions of dollars in contributions to the government worker pension fund.

 NJEA President Wendell Steinhauer said "the Senate president is lashing out in frustration over a tough week with trying to get the Transportation Trust Fund done and tangling up the constitutional amendment on pensions in the process."

 Steinhauer said the union has spoken with its attorneys who assured "there is nothing illegal or unethical in what has transpired."

"NJEA's support for politicians is not an entitlement; it is earned. We have a responsibility to use our members' voluntary political contributions to support their priorities. NJEA has simply informed legislators and party officials that we are withholding support that we are under no obligation to give," he said.

The constitutional amendment would require the state increase payments into the government worker pension fund.

 Sweeney sponsored and championed the amendment but has so far declined to hold a Senate vote to put the amendment before voters until lawmakers resolve a transportation funding impasse.

He was booed by public workers Monday when he adjourned a Senate session without holding a vote on the referendum, and teachers protested outside his south Jersey legislative office Wednesday.

The potentially steep price tag of a future deal to fund the Transportation Trust Fund could jeopardize funding for the pension amendment and force the state to raise taxes to keep up with the payment schedule, Sweeney explained.

Sweeney and Gov. Chris Christie disagree on a funding scheme for the trust fund. They've offered competing tax cuts to cushion the blow of a 23-cent increase on gasoline sold in New Jersey. Christie's tax package would cost the state treasury more than twice Sweeney's.

The Senate has until Monday to vote and submit the referendum for the fall ballot.

Entire article at
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