By Matt Rooney | The Save Jersey Blog
He passed on a Senate bid in 2014 but insiders know that Asm. Jack Ciattarelli (R-16) is an ambitious guy with an eye on higher office. The most frequently discussed possibility is a gubernatorial bid.
One area where Ciattarelli is trying to distinguish himself as a leader is in the never-ending dynamic of antagonism between the New Jersey (Mis)education Association (NJEA) and Republicans. The NJEA’s members picketed outside of his office in June and endorsed his opponents (and no Republicans anywhere else in the state, btw) about a month ago.
But now NJEA President Wendell Steinhauer and Ciattarelli have agreed to meet. To what end?
“Other than the Assembly Speaker and Senate President, I am the only legislator to offer a comprehensive and detailed teachers’ pension reform plan – one we can honor and afford. The plan provides a more equitable school funding formula, reduces our unfunded liabilities, and adds $3-plus billion to the current annual teachers’ pension payment,” explained Ciattarelli in a release announcing the meeting, further noting that his four children are in the public school system.
“Despite efforts to forge a productive working relationship with the NJEA, its leadership seemingly places partisanship over problem-solving,” he continued. “Case in point are statements in their recent announcement regarding NJEA support for strictly Democratic members of the state Assembly. One very disappointing example is NJEA President Wendell Steinhauer’s statement, ‘Now, more than ever, NJEA members understand the vital importance of electing pro-public education candidates.”
The Assemblyman’s pension reform proposal includes the following bullet points, as articulated by his release:
- “No community is allowed to fund less than 25 percent of their school budget through the local tax levy (some communities fund less than 15 percent of their school budget, while others fund more than 90 percent);”
- “No community can abate school property taxes on new development (to encourage development, communities can abate municipal and county taxes if they so choose);”
- “For all current and future teacher retirees, no post-retirement Medicare Part B reimbursement if their pension plus social security equals or exceeds $30,000/yr.;”
- “For all teachers with less than 10 years in the system, their pension account is switched over to a defined contribution pension plan (e.g., 401k);”
- “All newly hired teachers go immediately into defined contribution pension plan and their pension and Social Security are paid for by the local school district, not the state; and”
- “‘Cadillac’ health insurance plans are discontinued for all newly hired teachers and all others at end of current contract.”
“As State Assemblyman for the 16th Legislative District, it is my job to represent all citizens and maintain, as best I can, a healthy working relationship with important constituencies,” Ciattarelli continued. “I contacted NJEA President Wendell Steinhauer to request a meeting, which he agreed to. I look forward to discussing with Mr. Steinhauer the NJEA announcement and mutual goals for public education in New Jersey.”
If he ultimately runs in 2017 (or sooner), Save Jerseyans, this tactic is a major departure from Chris Christie’s 2009 strategy when he ran hard at the NJEA at refused to seek its endorsement in a strongly-worded letter.
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Christie got my vote thanks to a) not being Corzine, and b) running against NJEA. I’m done voting party line.
Interesting. I like the idea of schools being requred to pay at least 25%of their funds from local funding. That would free up a few billion right there. The rest i think is trivial financially although a moral windfall.