Lawmaker pushes to end lobbyists pension perk

State taxpayers contribute about $1.3 million a year for retirees from the New Jersey League of Municipalities, the Association of Counties and the School Boards Association.

Caption: New Jersey Assemblyman Paul Moriarty

A New Jersey lawmaker wants to end public pensions for lobbyists.

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[audio: 091228pgpension.mp3]

State taxpayers contribute about $1.3 million a year for retirees from the New Jersey League of Municipalities, the Association of Counties and the School Boards Association.

Assemblyman Paul Moriarty says he’ll introduce a measure in the next legislative session that would prevent new lobbyists for those groups from participating in the state pension system.

Moriarty: Even though they’re lobbying for governmental entities, nonetheless they are lobbyists, they are not employees of the state of New Jersey and should not be eligible for state pensions and we need to stop that and stop it immediately.

Decades ago lawmakers allowed representatives of those groups to join the pension system. Moriarty’s proposed ban would not apply to those already enrolled.