O’Scanlon Challenges Fulop to Pressure Prieto to Extend Arbitration Cap

TRENTON, N.J. – Jersey City and its local police union’s contract dispute was settled by an arbitrator Wednesday.  Included in the deal was a two-percent cap on raises for police officers that will enable Mayor Steven Fulop and the council to keep their budget within the two-percent levy cap and hold the line on property taxes from substantially increasing.

“The deal between Jersey City and the police union is a perfect example of the two percent arbitration cap being effectively used to hold down property taxes. Mayor Fulop is one Democrat that isn’t blind to the clear and overwhelming evidence that the cap helps keep property taxes from skyrocketing,” said O’Scanlon (R-Monmouth). “Mayor Fulop should challenge his ally Speaker Prieto to permanently extend the arbitration cap.  Otherwise, Jersey City taxpayers will suffer with the rest of the state.”

Fulop said taxpayers and the best interest of Jersey City prevailed in the arbitration, with the two-percent cap being one of the most critical portions. 

The arbitration task force report that was released in September concluded that the cap on salary increases for police and firefighters enabled towns to maintain their budgets and mitigate property tax increases.

In 2014, the legislature voted unanimously to extend the arbitration cap after a report by the same task force came to the same conclusion.

“If Fulop doesn’t challenge Prieto Democrats might not do anything and the very tool that enabled, as Fulop said, ‘taxpayers to prevail’ will go away for Jersey City and for taxpayers throughout the state.  Mayor Fulop’s good friend Vinny Prieto holds the key and Fulop needs to turn it.  This new report is almost identical to a previous report that labor unanimously supported without needing anything else.  The only thing different is now we have even more data proving the cap is working and is needed,” added O’Scanlon. “Prieto said he would wait for the report. Well it’s here, it’s convincing and Mayor Fulop proved it.”

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Attachments:

• Arbitrator settles Jersey City POBA deal, Fulop says ‘taxpayers prevailed,’ by John Heinis for The Hudson County View.
• Press Release: O’Scanlon releases Arbitration Task Force report recommending permanent award cap
• 2017 Report of the Governor’s Appointees to the Police and Fire Public Interest Arbitration Impact Task Force
• Task Force Report Tabs