Eric Agren writes that deferring payments, as Gov. Christie has done, just kicks the can down the road.
To the Editor:
There has been a lot of attention paid recently to state Senate President Stephen Sweeney's idea to guarantee New Jersey's state employee pension payments through an amendment to the state constitution.
If the amendment is approved by voters, the state government would be required to make full payment into these pension funds on a quarterly basis. This would ensure that the funds remain solvent.
MORE: Sweeney: Constitutional amendment will fix pension: Opinion
I feel that this is long overdue. The workers have made fair sacrifices to help keep the pension system healthy. The only person who didn't keep his word was Gov. Chris Christie. He promised to include the full payments in the state budget, but then reduced the state's allocation.
A reform law in 2011 required public employees to pay a greater percentage of their pension and health care costs, while requiring the state to make its full pension payments. Christie ignored this deal, and continues to denigrate our teachers, police and firefighters. In reality, he is the one who has failed our state, and he should to stay true to the commitment he made.
The longer we kick this can down the road, the more we, our children and our grandchildren will owe. I support Sweeney's amendment proposal, and I believe he is doing what is right to protect both public workers and taxpayers.
Eric Agren
West Deptford Township
N.J bill threatens Pinelands, conservation
To the Editor:
On Dec. 17, the Legislature passed legislation (A-3257/S-2125) that targets preserved farmland, open spaces and public land, especially in the Pinelands. This bill expands the types of recreational usage that qualify as low-intensity on Pinelands agricultural land. This sets a terrible precedent for abusing conservation easements.
The New Jersey Sierra Club is concerned this bill, if signed, would turn farm fields into ball fields. This can open up our lands to all types of uses. Our concern is that this activity can take place in preserved and forested areas of Pinelands. These easements should only be dealt with by the Pinelands Commission.
This is legislation at its worst. It violates not only conservation restrictions, but also the property rights of the people of New Jersey, ripping off the taxpayers. We are concerned this will undermine Green Acres and farmland preservation, as well as planning and zoning in New Jersey. This kind of bill could also hurt public support for open space and farmland preservation programs.
Areas in the bill's scope include sod farms, which may use pesticides and sewage sludge to grow grass. The Pinelands is one of the largest sources of fresh drinking water on the East Coast. It should continue to be protected from activities that threaten its water, habitat or species. This bill would permit large commercial events that can have major environmental impact on the Pinelands.
Lee Snyder
Pinelands Issues Coordinator
New Jersey Sierra Club
Trenton
Editors note: A-3257, sponsored by Assemblyman Bob Andrzejcak and other South Jersey lawmakers, awaits action by Gov. Chris Christie. The bill requires the Pinelands Commission to accept recreational uses, such as soccer tournaments, as defined by county agricultural development boards.
There's help to check charities carefully
To the Editor:
I would like to add to Scott Little's recent letter about knowing where your dollars are going when donating to charity.
It will be surprising to many people that some of the largest and best-known charities spend high percentages of their revenue on administrative expenses and fundraising, not on actual programs.
To be well informed about a charitable institution with truthful information about how well it uses its funds, potential donors can get free help from a charity rating service. Two of the largest sources of that information online are charitynavigator.org and guidestar.org.
Both sites have detailed information and ratings on thousands of non-profit organizations, although the CharityNavigator site is easier to use.
Bill Legnante
Upper Pittsgrove Township
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