Senator Jennifer Beck (R-Monmouth)

Senate Democrats Block Beck’s Bill to Protect Victims of Gender-Based Wage Discrimination

June 26, 2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, New Jersey Senate Democrats blocked the consideration of legislation sponsored by Senator Jennifer Beck (R-Monmouth) that would offer financial protections to the victims of gender-based wage discrimination.

Senate Democrats voted to table Sen. Jennifer Beck’s legislation offering financial protections to the victims of gender-based wage discrimination. (SenateNJ.com)

Beck attempted to move her legislation, S-2458, that would protect from taxation any awards or settlements related to claims of unlawful gender-based wage discrimination.

“New Jersey has one of the most aggressive, progressive wage discrimination statutes in the nation,” said Beck. “When such discrimination has been resolved, either through a trial or settlement agreement, our State furthers the victim’s mistreatment through aggressive income taxation of damages that have been awarded. I’m disappointed that Senate Democrats voted against the interests of women today.”

Beck’s motion to relieve S-2458 from the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee where it has languished without hearing was immediately tabled by the Senate Democrats in a party-line 21-16 vote.

“It doesn’t help New Jersey women to have strong pay equity laws on the books if we simply allow the compensation for their mistreatment to be taxed away,” added Beck. “Victims deserve every penny they are awarded for their suffering. Senate Democrats should be ashamed for putting the financial interests of the State over the needs of women who have been victimized.”

June 20, 2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Trenton NJ, An effort by Senator Jennifer Beck (R-Monmouth) to force a vote on legislation she sponsors to forfeit the pensions of corrupt public officials (S-1557) was immediately blocked by Senate Democrats at today’s session of the New Jersey Senate.

A third attempt by Sen. Jennifer Beck to force a vote on legislation she sponsors to forfeit the pensions of corrupt public officials was immediately blocked by Senate Democrats today. (SenateNJ.com)

This marks the third time Democrats have voted to block the consideration of the pension forfeiture legislation. Previous motions by Beck to move the bill were immediately tabled by the majority on February 6 and February 13.

“Time and again, Senate Democrats have voted to protect the pensions of corrupt public officials,” said Beck. “It’s inexplicable that they would continue to choose convicted officials over the taxpayers they represent.”

An investigation by the Asbury Park Press last year found at least 40 convicted criminals collecting state pension checks of up to $83,000 per year.

“The APP found a million dollars of taxpayer money going to corrupt public employees, including some found guilty on federal corruption charges,” added Beck. “Those are just the people they found, there are probably dozens more. If you violate the public trust, you don’t deserve a cushy retirement at taxpayer expense. Why is that so hard for Democrats to understand?”