WEBBER FOR ASSEMBLY

WEBBER FOR ASSEMBLY              FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 10, 2007                                                   CONTACT:  (908) 267-1613

JAY WEBBER LAUDS SUCCESSFUL PENSION REFORM

Cynical Casha Campaign Said the Bill “would NEVER pass” 

Morris Plains, NJ – The Webber for Assembly campaign today released a statement on the signing of legislation removing State Legislators from the Public Employees Retirement System: 

            “I am pleased that the reform I have been championing for so long has finally become law,” said Jay Webber.  “Part-time politicians should not receive taxpayer-funded pension benefits for life.  There is much more to do, but this is a very positive first step.  I look forward to getting to Trenton to fight for even more important reforms, like an end to double-dipping by elected officials.”

             Webber continued, “When no one else dared to talk about this issue, I made a personal commitment to the reforms I proposed.  My supporters and I crisscrossed Morris and Passaic Counties to gather hundreds of signatures on a petition to urge the Legislature put an end to this practice.  And we made sure those citizen voices were heard.”           

          In stark contrast to Webber’s leadership on this issue stands the Casha for Assembly campaign.  On April 18, 2006, when Jay Webber proposed ending Legislative pensions, Casha for Assembly stated that it was a bad idea and panned Webber’s proposal by writing:          

 “That’s great if Jay wants to introduce this bill, but I think that voters want results.  His bill would NEVER pass.  It’s great for press releases, but it’s not going to happen in the real world . . .”        

     “That kind of cynicism is not helpful to the cause of reform,” said Amanda Woloshen, spokeswoman for Webber for Assembly.  “We need leaders in Trenton who have a vision of where they want to take the State, and the courage to stand up for that vision.”         

    “For years now, Jay Webber has been leading by example with personal commitment and positive citizen action against Legislative pensions.  As a candidate for the State Senate in 2003, Jay Webber called for pension reform.  And since April 2006, Jay has led the call for a complete end to pension benefits for part-time elected officials.  Jay pledged back then to refuse pension benefits for service as a Legislator, launched a volunteer petition drive to end those benefits in June 2006, testified against Legislative pensions before the Joint Legislative Committee on Public Employee Benefits Reform in September 2006, and submitted signed citizen petitions to Legislative leaders in Trenton in November 2006.  That’s real leadership for real reform, and that’s what people will get with Jay Webber.”     

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