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Christie-Backed Measure Targets Sick Leave Payments To Government Workers

By David Madden

TRENTON, N.J. (CBS) -- There's another attempt in the New Jersey legislature to cut down on government workers leaving their jobs with tens of thousands of dollars as payment for unused sick leave.

This was tried before -- capping the payouts at $15,000 -- but it failed.

Now, state senate president Steve Sweeney is sponsoring a plan that would halt the payouts going forward, although any unused sick leave accrued prior to enactment of the plan would still be paid.

Governor Chris Christie has made it clear that he wants the payouts to end… period.  This is meant to deal with situations where public employees take home what some call a "boat check" upon retirement, which can often dwarf their annual salary, creating budget problems for many municipalities.


Read the KYW Regional Affairs Council special report, "Princes & Paupers: The Income Gap At Work"

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