We have just learned that the recommendations of the four committees participating in the Special Legislative Session officially will be released to the public tomorrow morning. A multitude of recommendations will be made concerning school funding, property tax reform, pensions, health benefits, regionalization, shared services, and constitutional reform. We are anticipating a worst case scenario, especially in the areas of pensions, benefits and regionalization.
Some of these recommendations will be put into legislation and debated in the Legislature, probably before the end of the year. We expect pensions and benefit proposals to be considered first, while it may take much longer to develop the school funding proposal.
In the weeks ahead, we will need all hands on deck to defeat what we believe will be an unprecedented assault on our pensions and benefits.
As soon as we have a copy of the recommendations, we will respond forcefully in the press and post information on our website. Check www.njea.org for the latest information and watch for the December Reporter and Review.
Mark your calendars now. In addition to our previously announced Lobby Days on December 4, 7, 14, we will be holding a massive rally, together with the other public employee unions, at the State House on December 11 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. Details will follow soon.
