National teachers union blasts Christie over pension funding in radio, online ads
One of the largest teachers’ unions in the nation is blasting Governor Christie in a radio and online ad campaign launched Wednesday over his failure to make full payments into the state pension system.
The campaign comes as New Jersey unions representing teachers, police officers, firefighters and state workers are trying to compel the governor to make large pension payments that he agreed to in 2010. On Wednesday, the state Supreme Court heard an appeal by the Christie administration of a lower-court ruling that ordered the state to put nearly $1.6 billion more into the pension funds for the fiscal year that ends June 30.
In announcing its campaign, the American Federation of Teachers alleged that Christie “has broken the public trust.”
“Three years ago, he struck a deal with the Legislature that was premised on shared sacrifice,” Randi Weingarten, president of the union, said in a statement. “And teachers, firefighters and nurses made that sacrifice.
They paid their share. But Christie is refusing to pay his, and now these workers’ dignity and security in retirement hangs in the balance.”
Christie has said that New Jersey cannot afford to pay billions into the pension system annually and that he has put more into the pensions than other governors.
On Wednesday, a spokesman for the governor’s office said that, by 2016, the state will have to make annual payments for pension and health benefits totaling more than $8 billion, out of an average budget of more than $30 billion.
“If we followed the old political way here in Trenton you would have to increase the sales tax by 10 percent or income taxes by 29 percent, eye-popping numbers,” spokesman Brian T. Murray wrote in an email.
In its ad, the powerful American Federation of Teachers hit hard at Christie for skipping payments and accused him of poor fiscal management.
“What kind of man breaks his promises? Goes back on his word? What kind of man bullies people and can't be counted on to do what he said he would?” the union said in its radio ad.
The New Jersey Education Association, which represents teachers and is suing Christie over the pension payments, plans to launch a similar campaign May 21, said Steve Wollmer, director of communications. The ads will appear on television, radio and online, he said.
The script is still being written, he said, but will also call for the Legislature to defend the pensions. He said the Legislature should be willing to override a likely veto by the governor if lawmakers include increased pension payments in their upcoming budget for the new fiscal year.
“It’s time for the legislature to step in and do the right thing,” Wollmer said.National teachers union blasts Christie over pension funding in radio, online ads - News - NorthJersey.com: