Union City Mayor & Senator Brian P. Stack is looking to pass Bill S2702 and is working to get it out of committee. This legislation amends current state law requiring that the salaries of certain County officers and employees be passed by ordinance. The amendment would allow for non-pensionable salary to be excluded from the ordinance mandate. In other words, top officials in County governments can pad their pay with fringe benefits and give themselves second and even third jobs, with no public oversight or regulation.

To put this in perspective, a County Executive could decide that they would like to receive a housing allowance – or stipend. As the law currently is, the creation of this new benefit would have to go before the County Commissioners and be voted on and be put on the record for all to know. If this amendment leaves committee and is then passed, it will allow a County Executive to create this housing stipend without going before the County Commissioners and without it being voted for and put on the public record.

This legislation comes at a time when the State legislation has gutted ELEC through the creation of the independent expenditure committee and is in the process of limiting access to the Open Public Records Act (OPRA). It is clear to me that the last thing we need is another layer of government to be increasingly shrouded in secrecy and pulling away from matters of public record. Instead, we need to remain dedicated to transparency and accountability.

Passing this bill will allow Senator Stack to carry more favor and power that only benefits him and his circle - not the people of Jersey City and Hudson County.

Sign and Share this petition to let Senator Stack now that people want a more transparent government, not less.