Author: James

N.J. Democrats to address four proposed amendments to state constitution

DECEMBER 15, 2015, 10:56 PM    LAST UPDATED: TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2015, 10:56 PM
BY DUSTIN RACIOPPI
STATE HOUSE BUREAU |
THE RECORD

As Governor Christie prepares for a four-day bus tour of New Hampshire to bolster his presidential campaign, Democrats in New Jersey will set in motion a plan to circumvent Christie’s executive authority by pushing for changes to the state constitution that would dedicate funding for transportation and pensions, allow casinos in North Jersey, and amend how legislative districts are drawn.

On Thursday, Democrats — who control the state Legislature — also plan to vote on three separate measures to override Christie vetoes. And that’s in addition to more than 100 bills scheduled for votes as the legislative session heads into its final weeks. Whatever bills aren’t addressed by the end of the session would have to be reintroduced next year.

Adding to the customary frenzy of the lame-duck session are the potential implications that some of the legislative actions could have on Christie’s White House bid and on the next gubernatorial election, in 2017.

Lame-duck sessions are “usually pretty busy with little things that people want to get done,” Loretta Weinberg, the Senate majority leader, said. “This is major stuff.”

The four proposed constitutional amendments would bring wide changes to the state: allowing up to two casinos in North Jersey; requiring the state to make quarterly payments into the public employee pension fund; dedicating all gas tax proceeds to the nearly-broke Transportation Trust Fund; and adjusting the legislative redistricting process. Changes to the state constitution must be approved by New Jersey residents. The votes scheduled for legislative committees Thursday would begin the process of getting those proposals on the 2016 ballot.

Although Christie has been supportive of the idea of expanding gambling outside Atlantic City and putting it to voters to decide, he has called amending the constitution for measures that don’t require it “governance by temper tantrum.” He was especially critical last week of Senate President Stephen Sweeney’s proposal to require quarterly pension payments, calling it a guaranteed tax increase to New Jersey residents and businesses.

Sweeney, D-Gloucester, joined with Christie, a Republican, in 2010 and 2011 to reform the public employees’ pension and health benefits system, including requiring the state to make increased contributions into the pension fund over seven years. After three budgets of Christie’s that reduced those payments, and a state Supreme Court decision telling lawmakers and the governor to find a solution, Sweeney has proposed making the payments a constitutional requirement.

Christie accused Democrats of catering to unions and said during his radio show last week that Sweeney’s proposal is “totally about playing politics” since Sweeney is expected to run for governor in 2017. Any Democratic gubernatorial candidate is likely to seek the support of unions, who have strong influence in the state and spend heavily in state elections.

 

https://www.northjersey.com/news/n-j-democrats-to-address-four-proposed-amendments-to-state-constitution-1.1474114