May 7, 2010

HANDLIN: COURT RULING SAYS LEGISLATURE CAN SUBJECT LABOR UNIONS TO PAY-TO-PLAY RULES APPELLATE COURT RULES AGAINST GOV. CHRISTIE'S PAY-TO-PLAY ORDER, BUT SAYS LEGISLATURE CAN ENACT THE REFORM

The Appellate Court decision striking down Governor Christie's Executive Order 7 that subjected public employee labor unions to the state's pay-to-play rules said the Legislature can enact the reforms that the governor sought to level the field for taxpayers.

"I am disappointed that the decision does nothing to further our goals of having an even political playing field for all interests in New Jersey, but I am glad that the court disagreed only with the logistics, not the substance, of the reform," Handlin, R-Monmouth and Middlesex, said. "Governor Christie attempted to do something to benefit the public for which previous governors and Legislatures lacked political will. It is now incumbent upon us in the Legislature to make sure that organized labor has no more influence on public policy than any other interest."

Handlin specifically pointed to a portion of the ruling that says:
We are not, by any means, concluding that what the Governor seeks to accomplish is illegal, impossible or unwise public policy.

"Requiring public employee unions to play by the same rules governing companies that hold public contracts is wise public policy," Handlin said. "It would prevent the reality and perception in which large amounts of political contributions are rewarded during collective bargaining, which only hurts taxpayers and fuels cynicism of government."