by KYW’s David Madden
A deal reached late Friday night has cleared the way for a budget agreement in New Jersey. But the agreement between New Jersey governor Jon Corzine and Democratic legislative leaders does not sit well with state workers and teachers.
The deal helps bring down the cost of running the state by a half a billion dollars, mostly by cutting health and retirement benefits for new hires. Income minimums to qualify for pensions will also go up.
There would be incentive for workers not to take state funded health insurance. And Lincoln's birthday would also be eliminated as an official holiday.
The Communications Workers of America, representing most state workers in Trenton, is more than a little upset. Spokesman Bob Master:
“We think this is reform that is not real. These are really attacks on workers and attacks on benefits masquerading as reform.”
They're considering legal action should the $32.8-billion budget plan pass both houses of the legislature. Formal votes are expected Monday, a week before the deadline.
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