Holt Opposes Health Care, Pension Reform

U.S. Rep. Rush Holt (D-12) spoke out against New Jersey’s push for pension reform Friday saying it breaks faith with public workers who have dedicated their lives to public service.

The bill, S2937, would raise the minimum retired age to 65, increase costs of health benefits while limiting them, and end cost-of-living increases for retired teachers, among other provisions.

“Health benefits and pensions should be negotiated at the bargaining table, not dictated by politicians,” Holt said in a statement. “Collective bargaining is a fundamental right and must not be undermined or discarded.”

Pension and health care reform was near the top of Gov. Chris Christie’s agenda when he took office. Despite objections from the state senate and New Jersey’s most powerful unions, Christie as kept at it, eventually leading to a compromise and assumed support from State Senate President Steve Sweeney.

Public workers have cried foul and pointed to the fact that the state, not just under Christie’s watch but several governors, has not paid into the pension system like it was supposed to, leading to the pension crisis we see today.

It appears as though Holt, who represents Shrewsbury, Shrewsbury Township, Eatontown, Tinton Falls, Little Silver, Oceanport, Rumson, Fair Haven, Freehold, Holmdel, Middletown, and Manalapan, among other towns, agrees.

“I believe in some basic values for all New Jerseyans,” he said. “If you get sick, you should count on good health care. If you put in a lifetime of loyal service, your retirement should be secure.”