Casagrande-Muñoz-Simon-O’Scanlon: Possible Jersey City payouts should prompt action on sick leave reform

WASHINGTON, D.C. – May 29, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — Citing the pending retirements in the Jersey City Police Department that could cost taxpayers $5 million in terminal leave payouts, Assembly Republicans Caroline Casagrande, Nancy Muñoz, Donna Simon and Declan O’Scanlon, sent a letter today urging the Chairwoman of the Assembly State Government Committee to post the Assembly Republican sick pay reform.

“It’s no surprise that expensive sick leave payouts have not cured themselves,” Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande, R-Monmouth, said. “Trenton politicians have not stopped this wasteful practice and property taxpayers throughout the state continue to pay millions of dollars to public employees who had the good fortune of staying healthy.”

The Assembly Republican sick leave reform would eliminate the practice of paying public employees for unused sick time, forfeit sick leave accumulated by public officials convicted of a crime and require documentation for the use of more than five consecutive sick days.

“Allowing payouts for unused time is an egregious policy that leads to abuse and drives up costs for local government and bills for property taxpayers,” Assemblywoman Nancy Muñoz, R-Union, Morris and Somerset, said. “Reforming sick leave payouts is a big step toward property tax relief.”

Property taxpayers throughout the state face an $880 million liability for unused sick and vacation time.

“It’s incredible to hear some Trenton politicians talk about property taxes when they allow wasteful sick leave payouts to continue,” Assemblywoman Donna Simon, R-Hunterdon, Somerset, Mercer and Middlesex, said. “Property taxpayers need common sense reforms such as ending enormous sick leave payouts.”

The letter specifically cites Jersey City Mayor-elect Steve Fulop’s call for an audit of terminal-leave payouts in the police department that could cost taxpayers an estimated $5 million.

“Mayor-elect Fulop’s concern for the taxpayers is commendable. No public official should have to enter office having to figure out how to save taxpayers from a $5 million bomb shell just because Trenton politicians won’t do the right thing,” Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon, R-Monmouth, said. “We can diffuse this bomb in the future with a uniform statewide policy that stays: Sick leave is for when you’re sick.”