>Benefits denied
Bergen County Executive Kathleen A. Donovan
The Record Op-Ed: Benefits denied
There aren’t all that many absolutes in public life, but here’s one of them: Part-time board members do not deserve health benefits courtesy of the taxpayers.
Given the fact that outrageous perks of this type continue in many areas, it’s worth noting when someone stops them. That’s what Kathleen Donovan, the Bergen County executive, did last week when she vetoed meeting minutes of the Northwest Bergen County Utilities Authority, preventing the nine commissioners from giving themselves health benefits.
Estimated annual health costs for a family of four are almost $20,000, according to various actuarial firms. So it’s unlikely anyone is going to willingly give up coverage if it’s available. That’s why we need leaders with the guts to stop part-time politicians from getting it. Let’s reserve health benefits for full-time workers.
Over the years, health benefits for part-time New Jersey politicians often have been the norm, not only for utility commissioners, but for council members in many towns and even members of the Legislature.
The ongoing economic doldrums have brought more attention to these juicy perks. What is tolerable when unemployment is 3 percent and when most people are getting annual 4 percent pay increases seems less palatable when unemployment is around 9 percent and wages are flat. Donovan cited the economy in her veto letter, saying that health benefits for commissioners are “contrary to the sound fiscal policy of the county.”
Health benefits for full-time employees are a legitimate component of their compensation packages. Health benefits for part-time board members are not. They exist merely to reward the politically connected. In rejecting benefits for utility commissioners, Donovan rightly criticized the agency for being the last in the county to try to give commissioners such benefits.
The authority’s proposed budget for next year is about $15.5 million. The health benefits were part of a proposed stipend package that would have cost $89,000. That is a small part of the overall budget, but as is often the case in situations like this, it is not the money but the principle that’s important. The authority, which provides sewer treatment service to 11 towns in northwest Bergen County, should have known not to support a benefit plan that was out of step with both county policy and the economic times. Donovan’s veto should not have been necessary.
What we truly need is for the Legislature to outlaw taxpayer-funded health benefits for all part-time elected officials and board members statewide. In the absence of such sweeping legislation, we must rely on local politicians to stop the abuse themselves. In this case, we’re glad Donovan stepped forward to do just that.
