Executive pay at N.J. authorities could be capped soon

A measure to limit the pay and benefits at New Jersey’s authorities, boards, and commissions is making its way through the state Legislature. 

The bill approved by the Senate Budget Committee would prevent officers and employees of independent government agencies in the Garden State from earning more than the Governor.

They would also have the same number of holidays as full time state workers, and payouts for their unused sick time would be capped at $15,000.

“At a time when legislators and the Governor are trying to protect the solvency of the pension system and when people are just hanging on by their fingernails, we just can’t allow these things to happen,” said Senator Robert Gordon, one of the primary sponsors of the legislation.

 The measure also requires authority employees to contribute at least one and a half percent of their base pay to the cost of their health care coverage. The Assembly has already approved it.

Senator Loretta Weinberg has been trying to pass similar legislation for years.  She says it’s no surprise people running authorities have been able to stymie reform. 

“They have strong political connections and bipartisan bases,” said Weinberg.  “That’s been the reason that I’ve had difficulty in getting some of this moved, but I’m hoping that with strong support from the Governor’s office and from other members of the Legislature we’ll see this done.”