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on August 03, 2016 at 12:16 PM, updated August 03, 2016 at 5:34 PM
on August 03, 2016 at 12:16 PM, updated August 03, 2016 at 5:34 PM
TRENTON — Senate President Stephen Sweeney said Wednesday that threats by public worker unions to withhold campaign contributions unless the Senate passes pension legislation amounts to “bribery” and “extortion” and should be investigated by state and federal officials.
At a Statehouse news conference, Sweeney (D-Gloucester) responded to reports the state’s largest teachers union, the New Jersey Education Association, told county Democratic Party chairmen it wouldn’t release campaign cash until next spring as a cudgel to force action on a proposed constitutional amendment guaranteeing billions of dollars in contributions to the government worker pension fund.
Sweeney also said his office received a direct threat from the president of the Fraternal Order of Police. He penned letters to the U.S. attorney and state attorney general requesting investigate the threats as violations of both state and federal bribery laws.
I am surprised no one sees this for what it is – a choreographed tactic to make Sweeney appear opposed to unions as he prepares for his gubernatorial run. Because in reality, it is quite the opposite.