Chris Christie signs bill requiring unions pay more [View All]

[The Northerner]

In one of his biggest legislative victories since taking office, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie signed a bill into law on Tuesday that requires state workers to pay more for their pensions and health insurance.

“It is an important moment for the state of New Jersey, for its citizens, its taxpayers, and New Jersey has once again become a model for America,” Christie said at the bill signing, the Star-Ledger reported.

A half-million teachers, police and other public workers will have to pay the increased contributions, which Christie has said will help keep the state’s taxes down and ensure that the pension and health programs can continue to exist for many years to come.

Starting on Wednesday, public employees will have to contribute an additional 1 percent of their pay to their pensions. Once their current contracts expire — or as soon as January if their contracts expire by then — state workers will also have to pay more for their health insurance.

Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0611/57955.html#ixzz1Qc9JEJ7u