LEGISLATIVE REPORT
Now is the time to start thinking about the 2017 election
It seems as if there is never a time when an election isn’ t raging. In some parts of New Jersey, campaign ads are already running and it’ s almost impossible to click on a website and not see a message from a candidate for office. And this is only August.
The election process can be annoying or distasteful to some people. Campaigns, and the
ROB NIXON candidates themselves, certainly give the impression that politics gets more personal and less substantive year after year.
However, this activity must not be viewed as something to be simply endured or ignored. Electoral politics lies at the heart and soul of our form of government, and the people that are elected at the state, county and municipal levels have a direct impact on working conditions, paychecks and pensions of every NJ State PBA member, active and retired. And that is why the State PBA spends so much time prompting members to engage in the process.
The 2017 election is going cause major changes in Trenton. PBA members are going to have a direct say in who will replace Governor Christie. PBA members are going to make a difference in contested Senate and Assembly races in districts across New Jersey. Being involved and standing behind PBA-endorsed candidates will make all the difference in what the future holds for the law enforcement profession in the state.
PBA endorsements are not complicated. They center on simple ideals, like who has supported our issues in the past, who has made an effort to have a productive relationship with us even if they have a less than perfect voting record and who will champion our members when it matters the most. In the end, this decision has as much to do with trust and relationships as it does counting votes. Anybody can fill out a survey and lie about what they might do in the future. It is far more important to know the person running for the office when all is said and done.
The 2009 governor’ s race will forever be“ Exhibit A” in proving this point. The State PBA knew Governor Corzine very well. Was he perfect? Of course not. Were some of his positions too liberal for some members? Of course. But we knew we were a phone call away from his office, and our relationship allowed State PBA leaders to work through problems and concerns. In the end, PBA members were protected and respected.
We also knew Chris Christie. During his interview for our endorsement, he came right out and said he would be attacking the NJEA and its pension and benefits. When asked how
we could be assured that our pension and benefits wouldn’ t be“ collateral damage,” his response was to be happy we weren’ t“ primary damage.” You don’ t need to be a detective to know that left our members on very shaky ground. So the State PBA endorsed Governor Corzine, but thousands of PBA members taken in by a phony promise that he would never touch your pensions ran to the Christie campaign. The rest is history that PBA members pay for every single day in their paychecks and their pensions.
Now, here we are again. PBA members are being wooed by candidates for every office, many with promises of what they will do if they get elected. Many candidates are making commitments that they are with you because they understand law enforcement and they will once again tell you to ignore the State PBA leadership. But the State PBA has the ability to see through phony campaign promises because we spend countless hours analyzing and working with politicians and elected officials. Candidates can say whatever they want to get you to ignore our endorsements( like Chris Christie). But it is what they have done, or not done, for you that should tell you what you need to know about them.
You will be asked to vote for candidates who aren’ t perfect. Their opponents will make a lot of claims about how they understand you better. For example, just because someone was a prosecutor doesn’ t make them a“ law enforcement officer.” They are just attorneys, not cops, and they don’ t truly share your needs. Just because someone gives a good speech doesn’ t mean he or she won’ t complain about you behind your back. Just because a candidate is from an opposing political party doesn’ t mean he or she won’ t stand up for your principles when the State PBA comes calling.
It is not politically correct to say, but in the end the State PBA is designed to stand up for your pension and your paycheck. You will be asked repeatedly during the next few weeks to keep this in mind when you go to vote, with our endorsements in hand. You may be faced with a choice between more cuts to your pension or an independent and fully funded PFRS. You may be faced with a choice between open and fair contract negotiations or a closed process where your employers have no incentive to negotiate. You may have a choice between COLA restoration or never seeing an increase again.
All this depends on what you do in the voting booth. It’ s your decision, as it was in 2009. d
10 NEW JERSEY COPS ■ AUGUST 2017