Property Taxpayers Sick of Waiting for Trenton Politicians to Agree that Sick Leave is for When You’re Sick
WASHINGTON, D.C. – April 25, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — From Parsippany to Princeton, all the way down to the Jersey Shore, property taxpayers are still paying large amounts to retiring public employees because Trenton politicians refuse to stop paying for unused sick time.
Assemblywoman Donna Simon is among 23 Assembly Republicans sponsoring a plan to end the practice. Trenton Democrats have refused to work with Governor Christie and Assembly Republicans to end sick leave abuse.
“Sick leave abuse costs property taxpayers outrageous amounts of money, and they’re sick of waiting for Trenton to act,” Simon, R-Hunterdon, Somerset, Mercer and Middlesex, said. “These payments drive up property taxes and eliminating them will go a long way toward controlling property taxes.”
- Atlantic City approved $2.2 million in payouts to 15 retiring employees, and has budgeted $3 million for these payments.
- The Parsippany Police Chief retired with a $375,000 payout for unused sick, vacation and personals days.
- Princeton approved a separation agreement with its police chief who had been on sick leave for several weeks to remain on leave until Oct. 1 when he reaches 30 years of service.
“Sick pay is for when you’re sick, not to be used as a vacation vehicle until your retirement day on the taxpayer’s dime,” Simon, R-Hunterdon, Somerset, Mercer and Middlesex, said. “Big-time payouts for retiring public employees are sickening property taxpayers across the state. We can cure this problem with a dose of common sense that says sick leave can only be used when you’re sick.”
The Assembly Republican sick pay reform, A-2495, 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.
