ONE FINE DAY CONTINUED FROM PAGE 35
The apprehension to get involved that existed before the first PBA Day appears to be all but gone. Members believe in political action.
“ I think there’ s definitely a trust there,” Tardio observed as he rushed to get up to the gallery.“ We’ re willing to get involved. But after this last election, they are still waiting to see. OK, we got these people in. What are they doing for us now that they’ re in?”
Legislators walked the walk on March 26. Colligan and Kovar weren’ t so sure even when Senate President Sweeney gave them this message in the morning.“ He said,‘ Why are you here? Don’ t worry,’” Colligan related.
In the Senate, however, the pension bill passed with 75 percent in favor. In the Assembly, there was some anxiety, so Colligan joined with FMBA President Ed Donnelly to herd the cats and count on the votes. They wanted the board all green with yes votes. It was close. The Assembly vote came out 84 percent voting yes.
The buzz afterward couldn’ t even be distilled by the fact that Governor Murphy still needed to sign the pension bill into law. Members formed a line to give Colligan and Kovar a hug or a handshake. What a feeling.“ I’ m happy right now that we actually won something for once,” emoted Burlington County Corrections Officers Local 249 State Delegate Terrance Benson.“ I have no words right now.”
Mercer County Sheriffs Officers Local 187 State Delegate Pat Papero did have the words.
“ This was like winning the Super Bowl,” he exclaimed.“ It was a big win for our families and for our futures.”
As the PBA First Vice President and the Pension Benefits coor-
Senate President Steve Sweeney, right, chats with NJ State PBA Vice President Marc Kovar, President Pat Colligan and Director of Government Affairs Rob Nixon at the start of PBA Day at the State Legislature on March 26.
dinator, Pete Andreyev has had a front-row seat to all that went into getting the bill passed in both houses. And he knew the value of what had transpired on this day.
“ It was a Public Safety win for everybody involved,” Andreyev concluded.“ That’ s why I think we had one of the most genuine responses, because everyone knows the benefit that it will create for them.”
The only person who was unexpectedly at a loss for words was Colligan. As the celebration ensued, he flashed that smile of approval, the one that hints at his excitement. And he sent up a fitting final comment.“ Not a bad way to end your day,” he whispered. Another great day for the NJ State PBA. d
36 NEW JERSEY COPS ■ APRIL 2018