Sen Jennifer Beck: Sick leave reform is due, our property taxes depend on it | Opinion
By Jennifer Beck Ending egregious sick and vacation leave payouts is an effort that has been years in the making, but the overtaxed residents of New Jersey have waited long enough. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have introduced legislation that takes aim at these abuses, and we were even able to pass $15,000 sick…
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On the other hand we have some of the healthiest and dedicated government workers in the world. Don’t get sick and don’t go on vacation.
When corporations get into trouble, to survive they have layoffs. Great companies like Apple, Merck, IBM, Verizon, AT&T, Ford, GM etc. Look at what the malls and retail are going through in 2017. It is about survival.
NJ is in trouble. 565 municipalities, 599 school boards, County government, colleges, numerous authorities and commissions with 550,000 government workers including teachers, clerks, cops etc.
Maybe we don’t have the stomachs for a “massive headcount reduction” but a 10% reduction is doable. It is called efficiency. Doing more with less.
To some this solution sounds harsh but we need to do something that moves the needle.
A reduction of 60,000 workers with an average pay and benefit package of $50,000 would save $3 billion per year, every year.
Why not make the cap on unused sick pay ZERO?
Why not stop pensions and offer a defined contribution 401K type program?
Why not change all government spending and employment practices to use private sector practices, which most taxpayers have learned to live with?
Can ANYONE tell me why politicians have agreed to prevailing wage laws that guarantee payments of $100 per hour for jobs people would be willing to do for half or less. How does that help taxpayers?? Can Anyone tell me??