New Jersey Miracle: What About the Rest of Us? (via Jewish World Review)

Jewish World Review June 28, 2011 / 26 Sivan, 5771

By Cal Thomas

Something astonishing happened in New Jersey last week. A majority Democratic legislature and a Republican governor agreed on a measure that will cut benefits for the state’s 750,000 employees and retirees.

Like Wisconsin and other states that are being forced to deal with large budget deficits caused mostly by sweetheart deals struck in more
prosperous times between politicians who need votes and labor unions who deliver them, New Jersey couldn’t afford to go on like this.

The new law “will sharply increase what state and local workers must contribute for their health insurance and pensions.” And in a major whack at
rising costs, will also suspend “cost-of-living increases … raise retirement ages and curb the unions’ contract bargaining rights,” writes Richard
Perez-Pena in the June 23 issue of The New York Times.

Gov. Chris Christie’s administration estimates the deal will save New Jersey $132 billion over the next 30 years. That would be a real saving, unlike the Obama administration’s phony prediction of cost reductions with his national health insurance law, which is now being challenged in the courts.

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