N.J. polls voters on constitutional amendment

    Ballot question concerns use of funds withheld from wages of Garden State workers. One lawmakers see it as a protective measure.

    When New Jersey voters go the polls next month, they will decide the fate of a proposed amendment to the state’s constitution.

    The amendment would require deductions of employee wages for unemployment insurance, paid family leave and workers compensation to be used only for those purposes. Over 18 years, more than $5 billion has been diverted from those funds.

    Assemblyman John Burzichelli said voter approval would make sure employee withholdings are used to pay benefits.

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    “It’ll help our government impose discipline on itself,” said Burzichelli Wednesday. “It’ll protect workers’ unemployment insurance funds. I think those monies need to be dedicated to their intended purpose and not be able to be diverted under any circumstances.”

    The constitutional amendment, unanimously approved by the state Senate and Assembly, will go into effect if the voters also approve it.

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