LEGISLATIVE
LEGISLATIVE
REPORTREPORT
Filling the bills
Sizing
upup
Christie’s
run for
Sizing
Christie’s
runPresident
for Presiden
NJ State PBA legislative agenda is making an impact
New Jersey audience, and he is not at all concerned if the StarNow that Chris Christie has announced he is a
has been
referred
to the
Assembly
As
2016
comes
toChristie
a close,has
so does
the firsthe isber
Jersey
audience,
and
he ispublic
notAppropriations
atemployall concerned if th
Now
that
Chris
announced
a andNew
Republican
candidate
for President,
the question
Ledger editorial
board
approves
of him or
whether
half
of
the
current
legislative
session.
During
Committee
for
consideration.
Republican
candidate
President,
Ledger editorial board approves of him or whether public e
that is most
often obviously
askedfor
is, “Can
he win?”the question
ees picket his appearances.
the
past
year,often
the NJ
State PBAasked
has maintained
that
is most
obviously
is, “Can he New
win?”Jersey residents
ees picketneed
his appearances.
There are
plenty
of scenarios
that can lead
to starkly
to remember who Chris Christie is
an aggressive and proactive legislative agenAssembly Bill 1329 (Rible)
are plenty
of scenarios
lead totrying
starkly
differentThere
answers.
The second
questionthat
thatcan
tends
residents
need
tomore
remember
who Chris Ch
to impress.New
GOPJersey
primary
voters tend
to be
conservada and the pace at which we have been able
The bill protects home addresses of law enforcement offito follow
is “Will he
step down
assecond
governor?”
That that
different
answers.
The
question
tends
tive
than the average
New
Jersey voter,
and
they were
nottend
paying
trying
to
impress.
GOP
primary
voters
to
be more co
to move positive bills, and alter bad ones, has
cers from being released by governm ental entities.
question
appears
to“Will
havehebeen
answered.
But
attention
to whether
the
governor
called
pensions
a
“sacred
trust”
to
follow
is
step
down
as
governor?”
That
tive bill
than
average
New Jersey
and they were not
been significant in comparison to prior sesStatus: The
is the
awaiting
passage
by the voter,
Assembly.
seismic
occurs,
in thebeen
state oranswered.
in
or whether
intentionally
underfunded
the pension
system.
So
ROB NIXON unless something
question
appears
totohave
But he attention
to whether
the governor
called
pensions
a “sacre
sions.
From
pensions
health
benefits
to
ofthe race, New Jersey is in for an unprecedented and
a
protest
from
New
Jersey
employees
is
only
going
to
set
the
govseismic
occurs,
in
the
state
or
in
unless
something
ficer
rights
and
protections,
the
State
PBA
has
or
whether
he
intentionally
underfunded
the
pension
sys
ROB NIXON
Senate Bill 1105 (Bucco)
complex time for at least the next eight months.
ernor
up nicely to roll into his stump speech about “telling it like it
the
race,
New
Jersey
is
in
for
an
unprecedented
and
not
missed
an
opportunity
to
direct
the
progThe bill
prohibits
the New
use ofJersey
ticketsemployees
and citations
in the
eval-to set t
a protest
from
is only
going
To win the nomination, an individual needs to rely on a number
is” and “making hard decisions.” And that, quite honestly, is going
ress
of bills
thatfor
impact
thedetermination,
daily
lives
of every
complex
time
at least
the
next
eight
months.
uation and
discipline
of to
law
enforcement
officers.
ernor
up
nicely
roll
into
his
stump
speech
about
“telling
of fleeting factors: money,
personality,
experience,
to drive New Jersey public employees to the brink of insanity.
lawTo
enforcement
officer
in the
state.
win the
an individual
needs
to rely on a number
Status: The
bill“making
is awaiting
passage
by theAnd
Senate.
message,
timing
andnomination,
luck.
It would
take
far more than
a magazine
is”
and
hard
decisions.”
that,
quite
honestly,
There is no question, regardless of how one feels about him, that
following
is how
a
small
sample
of the
legislative
priorities
fleeting
factors:
money,
personality,
determination,
articleof
toThe
properly
analyze
Christie
shapes
upexperience,
to
these factors.
to drive
Jersey speaking
public employees
to the brink of insan
the
governor has
a giftNew
for public
and for conveying
have
pursued
in
2016
out
of
theofmore
than
400 Senate
In addition to the action on these and other bills that have
the campaign.
So let’swe
take
a few
key points
that
lieItahead
message,
timing
and
luck.
would
take
far more
than aand
magazine
authority and conviction.
doesn’t mean
what heof
says
is accuThere isThat
no question,
regardless
how
one feels about h
bills that
have
been
proposed
this year
alone that
already taken place, the State PBA is working diligently on
TheAssembly
Christie
andanalyze
the New
Jersey
press have
obviously
article
tohaters
properly
how
Christie
shapes
up to theserate,
factors.
but
in
Presidential
politics
accuracy
is
less
effective
than
the and for con
the
governor
has
a
gift
for
public
speaking
impact
the
lawhis
enforcedrafting and introducing bills in
madecould
up let’s
their
minds
about
chances.
articles
take
a few
key
points
thatMany
lie ahead
offollowing
the campaign.
So
delivery and the
message and
itself.conviction.
Compared toThat
the field
of more
than
authority
doesn’t
mean
what
he says
ment
profession
in
some
way:
2017.is
Not
the
leastto
oflose
these
is the
his announcement,
including
national
media
outlets,
The Christie
haterssome
and from
the New
Jersey
press
have obviously
a dozen GOP rate,
candidates,
Chris
Christie
not
going
a
but in Presidential
politics
less effective t
refer to the campaign as a “long shot” or “four years too late.” But
proposal
weaccuracy
have beenisdevelopdebate on style unless he decides to mock, ridicule or personally
made up
minds about his chances. Many articles following
Billtheir
879
(Greenstein)
delivery and the message
itself.
Compared
to
the field of mo
in theSenate
bright light
of
political
reality, that may be a bit premature.
ing
with
the
NJ
FMBA
to
a fellow candidate. Other candidates, however, know he canreform
announcement,
including
some
from national
mediaattack
outlets,
The
bill prohibits
termiThehis
most
important
factor,the
outside
of the
candidate
themselves,
a
dozen
GOP
candidates,
Chris
Christie
is
the
governance
and
investment
be baited to attack and some of them are likely dreaming for a sit-not going to
refer
toofthe
campaign
a “long
“four years
nation
a law
enforcement
of- shot”
Candidates
will
raise,as
and
spend,
tens ofor
millions
of dol-too late.” But
is money.
powers
ofto the
of or per
debate
on styleThat
unless
he
decides
toPFRS
mock,
ridicule
down-and-shut-up
moment.
may
work,
some
effect,Board
in
ficer
who
physically
unable
in the
bright
light
of political
reality, that
a bit premature.
lars each
the
nextisfew
months.
But candidates
whomay
lose be
in early
Trustees.
attackwon’t
a fellow
candidate.
Other candidates,
however, know
Jersey but it simply
be viewed
as Presidential
in a primary
to perform
duties
thedonors
officerwill
factor,
outside
candidate
The
important
primaries
willmost
see that
thatiftheir
moveof
onthe
to give
to oth- themselves,
In
short,
the are
proposal
will
be
baited
to
attack
and
some
of
them
likely
dreaming
f
campaign.
was
injured
in win.
the When
linewill
ofthe
duty
ers they
perceive
can
money
up, candidates
is money.
Candidates
raise,
anddries
spend,
tens of millions of doleliminate
the
political
influence
Christie’s
opponents
have
lots
of
ammo.
The
economy
here
lags
down-and-shut-up
moment.
That
may
work,
to
some
e
and
is
awaiting
the few
approval
of But candidates who lose in early
quickly
drop
out.the next
lars
each
months.
and
mismanagement
of the
behind other states.
hasitfluctuated
his positions
on some
core
their
pension
application
by
JerseyHe
but
simply won’t
be viewed
as Presidential
in a p
There
is
little
doubt
Christie
will
be
able
to raise significant
pension
system
by
reorganizing
primaries will see that that th eir donors
will movesums
on to giveconservative
to othGOP
issues. He is far too close to Democrats for
the state.
billrace
is awell
State
PBA
campaign.
of money
to stayThe
in the
into
2016. A negative story, a bad
with
over PFRS
policyObama
and investers they perceive can win. When the money dries up, candidates
some,the
andboard
I am sure
thebroad
picturepowers
of him hugging
President
debateproposal.
performance or a loss in an early primary tends to dry up
Christie’s
opponents
have
lots
of
ammo.
The
economy h
ment
strategy.
This
will
ensure
that
pension
experts
retained
quicklyAs
drop
after Hurricane Sandy hit is going to find its way into mailboxes
Status:
thisout.
articleinstantly
goes to press,
the bill
was awaiting
fidonations
and that
almost
ends their
campaign.
But
behind
other
states.
He
has
fluctuated
his
positions
only
to PFRS
make
decisions
over the on so
is little
doubt
Christie
willdeveloped
be able
to raise
significant
andsums
onby
TVand
if heresponsible
starts moving
up the
ranks.will
That
is even
before you
nalThere
in the
Assembly
unanimous
passage
Christie
ispassage
a great
fundraiser
and hefollowing
has
a team
of
GOP
He is far
too close
future
ofconservative
the system.
mention
the “Bridgegate”
issue.
Andissues.
he isn’t running
against
Bar- to Democ
toand
stay
in
the race
2016. Aassures
negative
a bad
of money
by
the
Senate
in aJune.
mega-rich
donors
“Super
PAC”well
thatinto
practically
he story,
In
doing
so,
we
believe,
based
on
the
success
of
similar
posome,
and
I
am
sure
the
picture
of
him
hugging
debate
or his
a loss
an early
primarycash
tends tobara
dryBuono
up this time around, so rest assured if opposing candi- President
will not
run outperformance
of money during
race.inAccess
to campaign
lice
and
fire
pension
plans
around
the
nation,
that
the
sysafter
Hurricane
Sandy
hit
is
going
to
find
its
way
into ma
datesBut
need to use their opposition research on him, they will hit
790
donations
and(Sarlo)
that
almost
instantly
their campaign.
meansSenate
he willBill
continue
to
travel,
run ads
and pushends
his message
to
tem
will
not
only
grow
financially
stronger
but
that
decisions
and on
TV if he starts moving up the ranks. That is even be
the governor
where
it hurts.
The
requires
the
Police
Commissiona to
withlegislation
his
polling
numbers.
compete
Christie
isnegative
a great
fundraiser
and Training
he has developed
team
of pension
about
rights
andGOP
benefits
will
be And
managed
outside
of agai
Christie’s
chances
to
win
nomination
hingehe
inisn’t
many
an
accelerated
training
course
for
certain
county
cormention
thethe
“Bridgegate”
issue.
running
Thedevelop
current
polls
seem
to
indicate
that
Christie
is
a
second-tier
mega-rich donors and a “Super PAC” that practically assures the
he influence of elected
officials.
ways on winning
anBuono
early primary,
notably
New Hampshire.
If he if opposing
rections
officers
who
are to
be transferred
to a and
sheriff’s
officer
candidate,
but run
they
are of
in money
reality
a during
snapshot
the past
often
bara
this time
around,
so rest assured
will not
out
hisinrace.
Access
to
campaign
cashThe bill
draftthe
is nearing
its
finalwill
completion
andwrite
we intend
gets blown
outdates
there,
national
media
immediately
position.
The billhow
is ato
State
PBA proposal.
they teach
candidates
fix themselves
or hurt their opponeed
to
use
their
opposition
research
onlabor
him, they
toand
means he will continue to travel, run ads and push his message
on
continuing
our
briefing
and
working
with
other
him
off
voters
in
other
primary
states
will
look
elsewhere.
bill has
unanimously
passed both
nents Status:
enoughThe
to move
up. Plus,
polls on Christie’s
dutieshouses
in Newand is
the governor
where it hurts.
compete
with
hisDemocrats
negative
numbers.who have
management
discuss the
Whichunions
meansand
he will
probably beleaders
in New to
Hampshire,
andpolicy
other as we
awaiting
action bypolling
theindependents
governor.
Jerseycurrently
take into account
and
Christie’s
chances
toNew
win
the GOP
nomination
The
current
polls seemand
to indicate
that Christie
is a second-tier
move toward
the
NJ State
in 2017.hinge i
early primary
states,introduction
as much as heto
is in
Jersey.Legislature
That is necessoured on
their
prior acceptance,
they represent
a group that
ways
on
winning
an
early
primary,
notably
New
Hampsh
The
State
PBA but
hasprobably
also drafted
legislation
that will close
candidate,
but
are
in reality
a snapshot
in the
past and
often
Senate
Bill 2810
(Sweeney)
sary
for his
run
for office
not conducive
to governing
is mainly
irrelevant
in athey
GOP
Primary.
In many
ways, political
spin
aChristie
loophole
theevery
law
requires
SLEOsand
must
retire
gets
blown
outthat
there,
thepublicly
national
media
will upon
immediate
howto
topay
fixbuild
themselves
or meshurt theirhere.
oppoTheteach
bill requires
thenumbers
state
its pension
contributions
can bethey
employed
tocandidates
use those
to
the Christie
hasin
given
indication,
privately,
reaching
the off
ageand
of
This
standard
exists for
full-time
voters
in
other
primary
states
willlaw
look els
on
quarterly
basis
by
Sept.
30,
Dec.
March
and duties
June 30
sage for
President
– that
doesn’t
to polls
be31,
loved
be31
effective
that
he
has nohim
intention
to 65.
leave
office
early. Nobody,
therefore,
nents
enough
tohe
move
up.need
Plus,
ontoChristie’s
in New
enforcement
and
the
Class
3inSLEO
position.
of
each
year,what
beginning
July
1,
2017.
and that
he istake
just
the
country
needs
now.and independents who
should
be looking
forofficers
him
to call
anow
day
in
Trenton
move
on.
Which
means
heitwill
probably
beand
New Hampshire,
an
Jersey
into
account
Democrats
have
Therefore,
it
makes
sense
that
it
apply
to
every
officer
across
We Status:
are
far
too
close
to
the
situation
to
see
the
entire
picture.
The
The
bill
has
unanimously
passed
both
houses
and
is
With
so
many
candidates
in
the
race
there
is
a
great
deal
of
early
primary
states,
as
much
as
he
is
in
New
Jersey.
That
i
soured on their prior acceptance, and they represent a group that
the spectrum
of
New
Jersey
law
enforcement.
Bill introducP residential
race
won’t
actually
get
to
us
until
the
Republican
Pricurrently
awaiting
action
by
the
governor.
opportunity
to
either
break
free
or
fall
behind
the
pack.
While
the
sary for his run for office but probably not conducive to go
is mainly irrelevant in a GOP Primary. In many ways, political spin
tiondon’t
is expected
early
in 2017.
mary in June 2016. But the real race for the nomination begins in
odds
still
favor Christie
him
winning
nomination,
we are really
can be employed to use those numbers to build the Christie
meshere.
has the
given
every indication,
publicly
and p
These
are
just
a
sampling
the dozens
of bills
the State
February
and
March
when
voters
go
to
the
polls
for
primary
elecSenate Bill 596 (Cunningham)
only in the pre-game warm-up to theofevent
itself. Which
means
sage
for
President
–
that
he
doesn’t
need
to
be
loved
to
be
effective
that
he
has
no
intention
to
leave
office
early.
Nobody,
th
PBAbe
isaengaged
in every day
inlot
Trenton.
Among
the many
tions in The
Iowa,bill
New
Hampshire and
key states.
And
that is
re-establishes
the other
Sick Leave
Injury
compensation
there will
lot less governing
and a
more politics
driving
the disand
that
he
is
just
what
the
country
needs
now.
should
be
looking
for
him
to call
it a day in
Trenton
important
to remember.
Chris
Christie is noofficers
longer speaking
to a percussions,
onefor
thing
remains
a constant:
Legislators
and
policy and m
program
for state law
enforcement
injured while
agenda
in the state
the near
future.
d
We are
far tooduties.
close to the situation to see the entire picture. The
With
so State
manyPBA
candidates
in thelaw
race
there is a great
makers turn
to the
first whenever
enforcement
forming
official
Presidential
race
won’t actually
get tothe
us until
theinRepublican
is underopportunity
discussion. d
to either break free or fall behind the pack. W
Status:
The bill
unanimously
passed
Senate
Novem- PriJERSEY
2015
mary
inCOPS
June JULY
2016.
But the real race for the nomination begins in
12 NEW
NEW JERSEY COPS ■ DECEMBER 2016
12
February and March when voters go to the polls for primary elec■
tions in Iowa, New Hampshire and other key states. And that is
odds still don’t favor him winning the nomination, we ar
only in the pre-game warm-up to the event itself. Which
there will be a lot less governing and a lot more politics dri