This article discusses the "millionaires tax" debate between Democrats and Republicans in New Jersey. Democrats want to introduce a bill to raise taxes on millionaires to generate additional revenue for schools, property tax relief, and police funding. However, Governor Christie opposes any tax increases. The tax push comes as Democrats are fighting with Christie over a bill cutting public worker pensions and benefits. The article also covers a controversial provision in the benefits bill regarding out-of-state health care that critics say favors one South Jersey political boss.

1. PAGE 8 □ THE STAR-LEDGER SAturdAy, JunE 18, 2011
Democrats: Time
for a compromise
on ‘millionaires tax’
By Jarrett Renshaw legislative leaders who struck
STATEHOUSE BUREAU an agreement with Christie this
ThewaystateSen.RayLesniak week on a plan to cut pensions
and several other Democrats see and health benefits. More than
it, public employees are about 3,000 public workers converged
to dig deeper into their pockets in Trenton on Thursday in an
to bail out New Jersey’s fragile unsuccessful attempt to block
economy, and they want million- the bill from moving out of a Sen-
aires do the same. ate committee.
But with Gov. Chris Chris- Christie pointed to the agree-
tie vowing to veto any tax in- ment as a national model, say-
crease, the largely symbolic ef- ing it illustrates how parties
fort to pass a “millionaires tax” can reach across the aisle and
serves a couple of purposes for make tough choices.
Democratic legislators who “The governor says the pen-
are bruised and at war among sion and health care agree-
themselves. ment is a model for the nation
For one thing, it is an effort to and illustrates bipartisanship,”
repair the party’s tattered work- Lesniak said. “I would hope
ing-class credentials, which he’d be true to those words,
came under fire this week from and joins us in support of the
union members angry over a millionaire’s tax.”
bipartisan bill cutting employee Assemblyman Lou Green-
benefits. And it will help Demo- wald (D-Camden), chairman photos by Mitsu yasukawa/for the star-Ledger
crats draw policy distinctions of the Budget Committee and Brendon Schlitt of Hackettstown holds one of his 3-month-old twins, Benjamin, while brother John observes from the comfort
between themselves and the sponsor of the benefits bill, of his car seat during this month’s fathers support group meeting at Postpartum Place in Chatham.
Republican governor before the said he expected his colleagues
November elections.
“Weneedtosharethesacrifice,
to push for a “millionaires tax,”
which has the support of As- Fathers Parlapiano said. “They equate
meetingswith12-stepprograms
and my intent is to raise as much sembly Speaker Sheila Oliver Continued from Page 1 and they don’t want therapy.
money as reasonable from the (D-Essesx). Meanwhile, Worth sat ob- We’re saying ‘No, this is a whole
state’s wealthy residents ” said Greenwald said Democrats serving, a smile on his face. different kind of thing.’”
Lesniak (D-Union), who plans to compromised for health and His relaxed, confident de- Four dads showed up on
introduce the bill after he meets pension reform, and now the meanor gave ease to the inex- this particular Saturday, each
with Senate President Stephen governor should. perienced dads. bringing with them stories of
Sweeney (D-Gloucester) and “The people getting hurt in But he’s not there to lecture. late-night feedings, incessant
other Democrats to hammer out this recession are the poor and “There are questions about crying, cloth diapering and the
such details as the rate and in- middle class,” he said. “The feeding, diapering and sleep, pros and cons of baby carriers.
come limits of a surtax. governor has insisted that he and as much as I am running Questions such as getting a
The Democrats said the ad- won’t support it, but he now the group, the response comes baby to lay on her side (simply
ditional revenue could be used needs to get off it.” from other fathers,” said placing a rolled-up towel to hold
for a variety of purposes, such as Earlier this year, Sen. Shirley Worth, a school psychologist her up), stump new parents.
increased school financing for Turner (D-Mercer) proposed in New York City who lives in “I would have never known
rural and suburban school dis- a bill — which has yet to have Maplewood. that if I didn’t come here,”
tricts, property tax rebates for a committee hearing — that Worth said fathers share the The Schlitt twins are carried around by dad Brendon during Zaltsman said. “Some of it
senior citizens and increased aid would raise the tax rate to same concerns about parent- the BYOB — bring your own baby — fathers support group. is just confirming that what
to police departments that had 10.75 percent from 8.9 percent hood as mothers, but have little we’re doing is right.”
to lay off officers. on every dollar earned above support. Mothers, on the other claim that room. There’s more Through a mutual friend, The nurturing aspect of men
In a television interview $1 million. hand, have plenty of choices for than one way to change a Worth met Maria Parlapiano, exists, though their experi-
Thursday night, Christie was She has a separate bill — bonding with and getting ad- diaper.” director of the Postpartum ence of their own fathers may
asked why he has not turned also unexamined by a commit- vice from other mothers. Worth, a construction work- Place, a parenting center that be different, Worth said. Most
to the state’s millionaires to tee — that would take the issue He believes that empower- er-turned-psychologist, said offers help with breast-feed- men are pleasantly surprised
help restore Medicaid cuts or to voters and make it a consti- ing fathers can benefit a man’s starting a support group for ing and sleep issues and hosts that they can still talk about
school financing. tutional amendment. relationship with his wife. new fathers has always inter- new-mom support groups and baseball and who is going to
“I don’t believe that we need “Our party has to realize “A lot of women want help, ested him. “One of the things classes. have a Super Bowl party.
to raise taxes on anyone any where we stand, and that’s with but they don’t know exactly we talk about is that you don’t Parlapiano agreed that the “We can still be guys,” he
more in New Jersey,” Chris- the working people that built how to let the husband in,” have to wait until the child is time had come for a fathers’ said. “This is not about being
tie told the interviewer, Steve this country, ” Turner said. Worth said. “They say, ‘You’re Little League age to say, ‘Hey, group, but persuading men to soft and cuddly.”
Adubato Jr. “We are the high- Dismissing the Democratic doing it wrong’ and that can I’m going to be a dad now,’ ” attend meetings is not easy. Carmen Juri:
est-taxed state in America. At effort, Adam Bauer, a spokes- cause tension. Men need to Worth said. “It’s a tough nut to crack,” cjuri@starledger.com
some point we have to say no man for Senate Republicans,
to certain things.” said Republican lawmakers
Christie vetoed a “million-
aires tax” last year, and Demo-
have made their position clear.
“We are not going to take a Pension competition, they have no in-
centive to lower their price,”
body next Thursday.
State Sen. Richard Codey
Watson Coleman (D-Mercer),
who sit on the budget commit-
cratic lawmakers could not crowbar to the knees of our Continued from Page 1 he said. “As a cost-saving idea, (D-Essex) and a dozen other tee, said they wanted the pro-
come up with enough votes to economy by increasing taxes exemptions for workers who this is a terrible idea.” Democrats, including Assem- vision removed.
override the move. during the worst recession live out of state, and for emer- Bill Lavin, president of the bly Majority Leader Joseph Other Democrats who op-
The legislative push comes we’ve seen in 70 years,” he said. gency and primary care. stateFirefightersMutualBenev- Cryan (D-Union), said there pose the legislation piled on
as many rank-and-file Demo- Jarrett Renshaw: jrenshaw@ Exceptions would have to be olent Association, said he could were no discussions about the their criticisms yesterday.
crats are openly at war with starledger.com or (609) 989-0379 approved by state health of- only see the proposal benefiting out-of-state restriction. “This is dead wrong, dead
ficials — and the most expen- Sweeney’s longtime political pa- Adam Bauer, a spokesman wrong,” Codey said. “This is
sive procedures, like surgeries tron, South Jersey Democratic for the Senate Republicans, not about saving money. This
Xanadu said the tax breaks would come
from the sales tax revenue gen-
and X-rays, would have to be
done at New Jersey hospitals
boss George Norcross.
Inside the Statehouse, leg-
said legislators were concerned
when they saw it and scrambled
is about losing lives.”
Sen. Nicholas Sacco (D-
Continued from Page 1 erated by the combination retail unless it was decided no one islators were referring to it as to water it down in the 24 hours Hudson) dismissed a part of
didn’t think about it until they and entertainment complex, could perform them. the “Norcross provision.” they had to review the bill. the provision that was added
came to me through staff say- and that the company would “The idea was developed by “He’s the chairman of Coo- “It was out of the blue,” Bauer after initial opposition that al-
ing they need this and they not get the money until the proj- the Senate president and staff per Medical,” Lavin said. said. “None of us can comment lows partial reimbursement
need it now.” ect was completed. and is meant to keep New Jer- “And people down in that area on the benefits of the provision for out-of-state care.
The state program they were “It’s very common in these sey dollars in state and poten- would have to go to that hos- because it wasn’t us.” “Just imagine the cost of a
relying to help finance the types of developments, but it’s tially reduce the cost of health pital rather than go across to He said Republicans were told hospital bed in New York,” he
project, the Economic Rede- very important,” she said, adding care,” said Derek Roseman, a Pennsylvania for treatment.” it was going to be “cost neutral.” said. “They have not shown it
velopment and Growth Grant that the company had not been spokesman for Sweeney. “This The landmark legislation, Kevin Roberts, a spokesman would work.”
program (ERGG), only applies guaranteed the incentives yet. is especially warranted in light which sidesteps the collective for Gov. Chris Christie, said Phyllis Salowe-Kaye, direc-
to what are known as metro- “We have to apply and be ap- of the numerous New Jersey bargaining process, is moving only that the governor sup- tor of New Jersey Citizen Ac-
politan and suburban “smart proved,” she said. hospitals that have recently through the Legislature rapid- ports the bill. tion, a consumer advocacy
growth” areas. Those areas do The hiccup provided critics had to close.” ly after months of closed-door Christie has said multiple group, said members of her
not include developable land of the project another chance But Joel Cantor, the director negotiations. times that bureaucrats should organization were canvassing
in the Meadowlands, including to say that the state had its pri- of the Center for State Health It was introduced in the Sen- not decide where patients can the state and calling on people
the parcels owned by the Sports orities wrong, especially with a Policy at Rutgers University, ate on Tuesday, approved by seek treatment, and Cantor to oppose the provision.
and Exposition Authority. bill making public employees said yesterday costs would the budget committee Thurs- said the bill does exactly that. “It’s absolutely draconian,”
Assemblyman Al Coutinho pay much more for pension skyrocket over time. day and will go before the full “This gets the government she said. “It’s discriminatory.”
(D-Essex) said the Christie ad- and health benefits speeding its “Health plans negotiate Senate on Monday. In the As- into the business of the prac- Chris Megerian contributed
ministration reached out to him way through the Legislature. payment rates with provid- sembly, it will be heard by the tice of medicine,” he said. to this report. Salvador Rizzo:
early this week to ask him to in- Deborah Howlett, president ers, and if you tell New Jersey budget committee on Monday Assemblywomen Nellie (609) 989-0341 or srizzo@
troduce the same bill, but it has of New Jersey Policy Perspec- hospitals they don’t have any and considered by the full Pou (D-Passaic) and Bonnie starledger.com
not yet been posted for a hear- tive, a liberal research orga-
ing in the lower chamber yet. nization, said the scramble
“I was contacted by the admin-
istration basically to request my
to change the law shows the
administration is more con- Supers will seek greener pastures,”
Drewniak said. “Clearly, there
the New Jersey Association
of School Administrators,
“The thinking is ‘let’s get rid
of all the old people and infuse
support in moving legislation,” cerned about helping develop- Continued from Page 1 is an existing talent pool of said he’s seen the migration the industry with young peo-
he said. “I have no problem help- ers than developing a plan to 2012. But after that, his salary qualified, eager education pro- coming for some time. Some ple,’ ” Rodecker said. “When
ing to make this happen. … To rebuild the state’s economy. would be cut to $167,500 un- fessionals ready and willing to departing schools chiefs have you lose experienced educa-
the extent that someone in the “They’re trying to do deals for der the cap, he said. fill the void.” gone to work in other states, tors, the younger people you
administration misinterpreted developers,” she said. “There is This past academic year, 147 The state’s limit on super- while others have taken jobs are bringing in will not have a
the eligibility for it, I would refer no cohesive plan for economic superintendent jobs became intendent salaries took ef- as interim superintendents, clear path to follow.”
questions to them on that.” redevelopment or putting the available — 87 due to retire- fect in February, capping pay adjunct college professors or The lasting repercussions
Maureen Bausch, Mall of economy back in gear.” ment, Belluscio said. Bergen based on district enrollment consultants. of the pay cap will not be felt
America’s executive vice presi- MattFriedman:(609)989-0324 County had the highest number and promising savings of $9.8 “I don’t think we’re surprised for a few years, said Lynne
dent of business development, or mfriedman@starledger.com of openings with 26 superinten- million. Only superintendents by these numbers,” said Bozza, Strickland, executive director
dents stepping down. Twelve in districts with more than who called the salary cap crip- of the Garden State Coalition
superintendents are leaving 10,000 students can earn more pling. “We’re going to have a of Schools, predicting a signifi-
districts in Monmouth County, than the governor’s salary of significant number of vacancies cantly changed New Jersey pub-
seven are departing in Somer- $175,000. and new people coming in while lic school system a decade from
set County, and six are walking Kearny Superintendent losing the stability that comes now.
away in Morris County. Frank Digesere, 61, heard the from experience and history.” “There’s going to be an im-
“There are people with re- rumblings about salary reduc- Assistant superintendents pending collision,” said Strick-
tirement on the horizon who tions and pension changes in and principals will be unlikely land, whose organization
feel now is a good time to re- February. He said he decided to apply for the vacant posi- represents largely high-per-
tire a little earlier than origi- to retire this year after 38 tions, Bozza said, because in forming suburban school dis-
nally planned,” Belluscio said. years in education because he many cases, their salaries are tricts. “Not everyone will jump
The Christie administration “just couldn’t take the uncer- higher. ship immediately, but this has
expected the large number tainty anymore.” “They’re earning more now potential to erode the quality
of departures, said Michael “All of this makes you start than they would earn as su- of our schools leadership over
Drewniak, a spokesman for calculating,” Digesere said. perintendents,” Bozza said. time.”
the governor. Superinten- “You put in all these years and “Who would leave?” Staff writer Jeanette
dents are no longer worth you planned your life accord- Perth Amboy Superintendent Rundquist contributed to this
their weight in compensation- ing to these plans, and now John Rodecker, 62, said he prob- report. Jessica Calefati: (973)
package gold, he said. they’re being taken away from ably would not have retired this 392-4088 or jcalefati@
“It’s unsurprising that some you … I don’t think that’s being year after a 40-year career were starledger.com; Julia Terruso:
individuals accustomed to be- greedy, that’s adjusting.” he not facing a salary cut and (973) 392-1782 or jterruso@
ing paid exorbitant salaries Richard Bozza, director of possible loss of benefits. starledger.com