N.J. lawmaker wants public employee contracts posted online

A New Jersey lawmaker wants to force local government officials to disclose the details of public employment contracts.

For more than four decades, the Garden State has had a law requiring municipalities and school districts to file those contracts with the state.

But state Sen. Jen Beck, who says many local governments are failing to do that, says the contracts should be posted online for residents to see.

“Transparency is a critical part of making sure that taxpayers can review the work that’s being done at the local level and making sure as taxpayers’ money is spent that they’re able to review how it’s being spent,” said Beck, R-Monmouth.

A bill introduced by Beck would fine local governments $1,000 for not submitting public employment contracts within 15 days after they’re finalized.

The measure was prompted by a recent State Commission of Investigation report that showed $30 million was spent over five years for public workers who were on leave doing union work.