Hoboken Taxpayer Advocacy Group Expresses Concern
Over Union Contract Negotiations
Here is an official statement from the tax advocacy group Hoboken Revolt on the current Union negotiations for the City of Hoboken...
Hoboken Revolt, a grass roots, taxpayer advocacy and watchdog organization, is deeply concerned about the negotiations being conducted for the collective bargaining agreement for both the Hoboken Fire and Police Departments. While the group understands the need for confidentiality during the negotiation process, they fear the state will approve the contracts without adequate public input or final approval from Hoboken's elected representatives."As taxpayers we need our local elected officials to be involved in the key elements such as overall cost, terminal pay and health care benefits. Our local officials and the public need to have transparency into the process in order to effectively represent the interests of the taxpayer. If the state appointed monitor has the only oversight and final approval of the contracts the citizens of Hoboken are being taxed without representation," states Kristina Hahn, a spokesperson for the Hoboken Revolt Steering Committee.
After a 47% property tax hike in 2008, the residents of Hoboken are particularly concerned about these contracts as they represent a majority of the city's operating expenses. It is imperative in the current economic environment that the contracts be fair to both the city employees and the city taxpayers.
The group is asking The State of N.J., under Gov. John Corzine and State Monitor Judy Tripodi to provide an update on the negotiations and reaffirm the Hoboken city council's right to approve the contracts prior to acceptance.
Hoboken Revolt is a community-based, non-partisan group, formed to ensure fiscal responsibility and accountability in Hoboken government. Since forming almost a year ago, our website has grown to include almost 800 members and is considered a primary destination for government related news and discussion. Over the past year Hoboken Revolt has played an active role in advocating for the citizens of Hoboken by promoting good government initiatives, creating the "Love Your Town, Vote" campaign, and by the dissemination of in-depth mayoral and school board candidate questionnaires. Hoboken Revolt also helped to organize taxpayer rallies demanding more accountability by our elected officials. Hoboken Revolt has become one of our community's leading watchdogs and advocates for government reform.
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