Why we must vote for Phil Murphy
JIM TOMA
STATE DELEGATE
I had the opportunity to meet with Phil Murphy, Democratic candidate for governor, on behalf of retired officers and their families. First, let me say that for a candidate for governor to take a one-on-one meeting with a retired officer representing one PBA Local is a tribute to the hard work of all Local 600 members, from the founders to the members who have continued to push and recruit new members, and, most of all, to all the members who have made us relevant by building our political influence through getting involved in the political process. When you can tell a candidate that I represent not only 5,000 members, but tens of thousands of their family members and friends, you get a meeting.
I knew we had limited time together, so I tried to focus on the most important issues that directly impact our members and their families. The first question I asked Mr. Murphy was about fully funding our pension system and ultimately reinstating COLA, which is our priority. Mr. Murphy responded to me directly and has since repeated in public many times that his priority is getting our pension system back on the road to solvency, starting with the state living up to its funding commitments. He said he believes part of the solution should be a constitutional amendment guaranteeing payments.
Of course, that led to my follow-up question about COLA. I provided some background about the real reason why COLA is important to us, as opposed to the propaganda the Republicans have put out the past eight years. Governor Christie and Lieutenant Governor Guadagno would have you believe that all retired members are making six-figure pensions, collecting Social Security on top of our pensions and living a life of luxury. I explained to Mr. Murphy that many of our retirees are living on pensions below the poverty line, not collecting Social Security and can barely afford to keep their homes.
I think it was a surprise to him that many more of our members are living with pensions below $ 30,000 per year than above. It’ s shocking to think that these retired members have been denied a small increase in their pension checks during the past eight years due to the complete lack of empathy from the Republicans in charge. To be completely honest, I think Mr. Murphy needed to hear this information from a retired officer. He listened and made a promise that he believes COLA reinstatement under a fair program is something that he will support.
He stated his first priority is to shore up the pension fund, because without that, there is no money for COLA, and then to discuss with the PBA leadership the best plan, one in which the neediest are taken care of first and eventually all receive some increase. He was not specific about a timetable or an exact program. But he was specific in saying he would sit at the table with PBA leadership, including retired representatives, to work out a fair and equitable program. I did not hesitate to explain to Mr. Murphy that we have heard promises in the past from politicians, and Exhibit A is Christie’ s famous“ I will never hurt law enforcement” letter. Murphy acknowledged that the diminished credibility of politicians that has come during the past eight years is something he needs to overcome, and he vowed to do just that. He believes in organized labor and fully supports public sector workers and their right to collectively bargain.
Of course, you have heard his opponent blasting him about raising taxes to fund pension funding and education, but he has made it clear that the only tax increases will be on incomes over $ 1 million and he will close corporate tax loopholes. In his words,“ There will be no increased burden put on the middle class.”
I believe we have only one path to follow this November. In just a few short weeks, we will make a choice based on what we know, and it’ s this: In 2015, Lieutenant Governor Kim Guadagno endorsed a commission report calling for getting rid of our pension system and changing to a 401k for law enforcement officers. Now, with less than a month remaining until Election Day, she says she wants to help PFRS members. Isn’ t this the playbook she learned from her boss: make promises and they will support you, then do whatever you want.
Well, after eight years, I believe she had her chance to support us, yet she never came out and said,“ Governor, you are wrong.” Therefore, I believe it is our duty to fully support Phil Murphy for governor. We must vote and let it be known to our families, friends and neighbors that we support Murphy. We must also let it be known that there are political consequences when you blatantly lie to the people. The Republican party, under its current leadership, does not deserve our vote. We must hold all politicians accountable for their actions. d
18 NEW JERSEY COPS ■ OCTOBER 2017