SWEENEY/WEINBERG MEASURE WOULD REGULATE INSURANCE BENEFITS FOR OFFICIALS WITH MULTIPLE STATE POSITIONS

TRENTON – A bipartisan measure sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Steve Sweeney, and Senators Loretta Weinberg and Jennifer Beck which would require State and local elected officials to select one health insurance plan if they are eligible for benefits from another job as a public official was unanimously approved today by the Senate State Government Committee.

“The basis of this bill is common sense. Taxpayers should not have to shoulder the cost of multiple insurance benefit plans for the same elected officials,” said Senator Sweeney, D-Gloucester, Cumberland and Salem. “The bill would help curb unnecessary spending, at a time when we are all having to cut back on unnecessary costs.”

The Senators’ bill, S-1172, would also expand the pool of individuals impacted by this bill to include appointed members of governing or advisory authorities, boards, commissions, agencies and other State appointments.

Under current law, local elected officials are entitled to receive health benefits from any position they hold that awards health benefits. Members of the Legislature are only able to select one health care plan.

This measure now heads to the full Senate for approval.

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