Assemblyman Daniel Benson, 14th Legislative District
As a new Assemblyman, I was especially moved this week by thedetermination of our public employees in fighting the pending pensionand benefits proposal making its way through the legislative processwith lightning speed.
Supporters of the proposals have called it a”watershed moment” and “history in the making.” It certainly is awatershed moment for those who provide important services that ourcitizens depend on each day – those who teach our children, protect ourneighborhoods, fight fires, fix our roads, patrol our jails, care forour seniors and disabled, and advocate for the most vulnerable in oursociety.
For these and many others, they no longer have a seat at thetable ensuring a fair and open process. Now, these issues will bedecided for them. Collective bargaining is not just being threatened;it is being stripped away from those who need it most.
This”watershed moment” also includes a revolting provision that would barpublic employees from getting out-of-state treatment. This means thata breast cancer patient receiving care in NY or PA or a mom bringing aspecial-needs child to CHOP in Philadelphia may face an inability toget care or face exorbitant out-of-pocket costs. While many arescrambling to change or water down this provision, it should beremoved entirely.
I agree with Governor Codey when he said this was”dead wrong.” Even the director at the Center for State Health Policyat Rutgers said “this is a terrible idea” to save costs. When itcomes to this “watershed moment,” I am proud to stand up for therights of all our hard-working middle class families by opposing thiseffort and will urge my colleagues in the Assembly to join me invoting no.
Daniel R. Benson
Assemblyman, 14th District
