GOP raps N.J. Democrats on lame-duck agenda

Republican lawmakers say the lame-duck session of the New Jersey Legislature is missing the mark on reforms that would significantly help taxpayers.

Assembly Republican Leader Alex DeCroce said Monday that he’s disappointed civil service and sick pay reforms were not on the agenda for the Assembly’s first session since the end of July.

“These are the kinds of issues that would give the public some benefit,” DeCroce said. “With over a month left to go in this legislative session, it looks like they’re not going to get the help they really need.”

Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver said sponsors of bills rejected by the governor intend to reintroduce that reform legislation.

“They are having communication with the administration on those two things and if it can be accomplished between now and Dec. 9, it will,” Oliver said. “If not it will be a priority for this Legislature in the 215th session.”

Oliver said her fellow Democrats included a measure to help unemployed residents get on-the-job training because getting people back to work is a priority for them.

The Democrats’ bill would provide $3 million for the job-training program.

Republicans say job growth can occur without spending taxpayer money by cutting corporate taxes to make the state more business-friendly.