The Record: How The Next Governor Plans To Help Your Town

On the issues

Binding arbitration

Corzine and Christie both say they would not eliminate or significantly alter the current system, which allows police and fire unions to have a state arbitrator settle their contract negotiations.

Corzine says the proliferation of governments and bargaining units makes it more difficult for arbitrators to keep costs in check and he would continue to push for regionalization.

Christie says he would push unions for bigger concessions than Corzine has.

Daggett calls the system “horrible” and says he would fix it, if not eliminate it. He says arbitrators should be required to take the economy into account when deciding on awards.

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Pension and health care costs

Corzine says he saved $6.5 billion over the next 15 years with revamped pension rules and concessions from unions, including contributions to health care costs. He also touts a hiring freeze that has cut state worker payrolls by more than 8,400 positions through attrition.

Christie proposes a new pension system for newly hired workers — except teachers, police and firefighters — that operates like a 401(k)-type plan. He would also eliminate pensions for part-time employees and more than 300 members of boards and commissions.

Daggett would consider a 401(k)-type plan or a hybrid to replace the current system and would apply changes to all new hires, including police, firefighters and teachers. He would also seek to eliminate tenure for teachers in favor of five-year renewable contracts and would tie pensions to average salary over 10 years or more, rather than the last three years when salaries are highest.

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Shared services and consolidation

Corzine says his administration has promoted the SHARE program, which offers grant money for study and implementation. He also signed a law creating the Local Unit Alignment, Reorganization and Consolidation Commission, which is reviewing issues surrounding regionalization.

Christie believes the governor’s approach — which last year included threats of cutting aid to small towns that did not pursue consolidation — is too aggressive. He says he would encourage towns to share services whenever it would save money and improve efficiency.

Daggett says shared services do not provide enough savings to make a dent in the state’s looming deficit. He argues that pushing through consolidation of school districts or towns costs too much in political capital to make it worth the modest reward and that the governor should focus on other methods of cutting taxes and spending.