Hudson County senators split on pension overhaul

Published: Saturday, June 18, 2011, 3:00 AM
By Terrence T. McDonald/The Jersey Journal

Two of Hudson County?s state legislators cast different votes Thursday on legislation aimed at overhauling state workers? pensions and benefits.

The bill (S2937) passed the Senate budget committee Thursday, 9-4, with state Sen. Brian Stack voting in favor and state Sen. Sandra B. Cunningham voting against.
Hudson?s third state senator, North Bergen Mayor Nick Sacco, is not on the 13-member budget committee.

The bill is supported by Republicans and Gov. Chris Christie, but has been vilified by state labor leaders, who say Democrats in support are betraying public workers.

Communications Workers of America Political Director Bob Master said he was pleased by Cunningham?s vote, and disappointed by Stack?s. But given Stack?s friendship with Christie, Master said, the union was not surprised.
?That was exactly what we expected,? he said.

Asked whether his union was thinking of campaigning against Stack during his re-election bid this November, Master demurred.

?We?re just trying to get through next week,? he said.
Sacco spokesman Paul Swibinski said Sacco would have voted against the bill if he were a member of the budget committee, and if the bill does not change he intends to vote against it when it comes to the full state Senate.

Stack and Cunningham did not return requests for comment.