LEGISLATIVE REPORT
And now , the governor we have all been waiting for
At noon on Jan . 16 , a new era in New Jersey government began . Chris Christie no longer is governor . A new governor means tremendous change in Trenton : new staff , new policy , new attitude , new approach to doing business . For members of the NJ State PBA , this new era begins with a mix of relief and expectation .
ROB NIXON
There will be relief that Chris Christie will no longer be sitting in the chair of the most powerful governor ’ s office in the nation . Relief for law enforcement officers that the overt attacks on their collective bargaining rights and on the pension system will cease . Relief in once again having a voice and an opportunity for it to be heard in the governor ’ s office .
This is also a time of tremendous expectation . Only time and the experience in doing the job will determine what kind of governor Phil Murphy will become . Governor Murphy enters office with many groups expecting a change . It
12 NEW JERSEY COPS ■ JANUARY 2018
SometimeS diagnoSing back pain takeS knowing where to look .
Feet out of alignment put extra stress on your joints , causing pain , especially in your back . Our custom orthotic arch technology aligns and supports your feet .
The haro PodiaTry and Laser CenTer Putting your best foot forward
www . DrHaro . com
Clifton Office : 1005 Clifton Ave . 973 861-0007 is not an unfair expectation , seeing as how Chris Christie and Phil Murphy are so dramatically different . There are so many areas in which the State PBA is expecting to see those differences manifest . It begins with once again having a seat at the table inside the governor ’ s office . And this is probably the most important change with which to begin our relationship with Governor Murphy .
Looking back at our history , the past eight years were unlike any other . Even though the PBA endorsed Jim Florio over Christine Todd Whitman in 1993 , we still had access and the ability to work with Governor Whitman . That opportunity led to her being endorsed by the PBA in 1997 , and those years turned into some of the most productive in our long tenure of legislative success . The same opportunity for finding common ground and exchanging meaningful policy concepts never materialized once the State PBA endorsed Jon Corzine over Christie in 2009 .
So there is tremendous expectation from the State PBA that the Murphy era will restore that opportunity for communication and honest policy debates that benefit the members and the state of New Jersey . That opportunity is all that is needed to ensure the protection of the law enforcement community in the state .
Governor Murphy begins his term with the largest Democratic majorities in the state legislature in 40 years . While this does not mean that the legislature will become a rubber stamp for Murphy , or vice versa , it does give the Democrats full control to undo much of the Christie agenda .
From a public-employee perspective , for example , many expect to see PERC restored to its status as an independent and non-partisan arbiter of public employee rights . Many expect bills impacting law enforcement officers and public employees will not be manipulated by the governor ’ s office – as they were during the past few years – and that they will actually include the expertise of law enforcement and public employees ( unlike the process over the past few years ). And many expect to see Governor Murphy remove the previous administration ’ s political interference in the administration of the pension system .
What is certain is that the next six months will be busy . There is going to be a rush of action to appoint department heads and staff that will make Trenton function effectively . There will be executive orders designed to significantly alter state policy , and to allow Murphy to put his stamp on how he wants to do business . There will be legislation proposed and quickly moved that Democrats have long desired but that Christie blocked . And the NJ State PBA will be driving an agenda that restores respect for law enforcement officers in the governor ’ s office and that guards the rights , the benefits and the safety of every officer in New Jersey . d