Christie: Does NJEA want me to 'short' pension payment?

CALDWELL — Gov. Chris Christie on Tuesday blasted the state's largest teachers union, saying its stand against a money-saving health benefits proposal forced him to end New Jersey's longstanding reciprocal income tax agreement with Pennsylvania that will raise taxes for some Garden State residents.

He also challenged Democratic lawmakers to push for about $250 million in not-yet-realized savings on employee health care, suggesting that the alternatives are ones they don't want, including slashing payments to public employee pensions.

The state's current budget factors in about $250 million that would come from changes to public worker health care, including moving retirees onto Medicare Advantage.

The governor's office said adopting the Medicare Advantage plan would save $74 million in 2017.

Read more: http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2016/09/christie_threatens_to_short_pension_payment_if_tea.html