Workers' Compensation: Chris Christie

Showing posts with label Chris Christie. Show all posts

Sunday, October 26, 2014

ACLU demands Christie give legal reason for quarantining nurse who's tested negative for Ebola

Public health concerns raised over the fear of the spread of Ebola has caused at least three states: NJ, NY and IL, to institute a mandatory quarantine of potentially exposed workers. Today's post is shared fromnj.com.

TRENTON — The American Civil Liberties Union is demanding that Gov. Chris Christie provide more information to the public about how the state came to the conclusion that mandatory quarantine of healthcare workers was medically necessary, saying it has “serious constitutional concerns about the state abusing its powers.”
The civil liberties group’s demand came after a nurse who had been under quarantine after arriving at Newark International Airport on Friday tested negative for Ebola on Saturday. Currently, the nurse, Kaci Hickox, remains in New Jersey state custody over her objections, published in the Dallas Morning News and the objections of the international aid organization, Doctors Without Borders, for whom she’d worked in Sierra Leone.
“Ebola is a public health issue and the government’s response should be driven by science and facts and not by fear. We must treat our medical workers who put...

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Saturday, October 25, 2014

Cuomo and Christie Order Strict Ebola Quarantines

Today's post was shared by Steven Greenhouse and comes from www.nytimes.com

The governors of New York and New Jersey on Friday ordered quarantines for all people entering the country through two area airports if they had direct contact with Ebola patients in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.
The announcement signaled an immediate shift in mood, since public officials had gone to great lengths to ease public anxiety after a New York City doctor received a diagnosis of Ebola on Thursday.
A few hours later, New Jersey health officials said a nurse who had recently worked with Ebola patients in Africa and landed in Newark on Friday had developed a fever and was being placed in isolation at a hospital. The nurse, who was not identified, had been quarantined earlier in the day under the new policy, even before she had symptoms. Officials did not know Friday night whether or not she had the virus.
The new measures go beyond what federal guidelines require and what infectious disease experts recommend. They were also taken without consulting the city’s health department, according to a senior city official.

But both governors, Andrew M. Cuomo of New York and Chris Christie of New Jersey, portrayed them as a necessary step. “A voluntary Ebola quarantine is not enough,” Mr. Cuomo said. “This is too serious a public health situation.”
In New York City, disease investigators continued their search for anyone who had come into contact with the city’s first Ebola patient, Dr. Craig Spencer, since Tuesday morning. Three people who...

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'We Suck' on Minimum Wage, U.S. Labor Chief Says; Christie Has 'Head in the Sand'

Today's post was shared by Steven Greenhouse and comes from www.bloomberg.com

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has “got his head in the sand” when it comes to the plight of minimum-wage earners in his state, U.S. Labor Secretary Tom Perez said.

“I’ve met with minimum-wage workers in New Jersey,” Perez said today at a Bloomberg News event in Washington. “I’ve met with folks who -- the only raise they got, they’re baggage handlers at Newark Airport, and the only raise they got was when the voters increased the minimum wage.”

President Barack Obama and his administration have been pushing Congress to raise the federal minimum wage to $10.10 an hour from $7.25. Most Republicans in Congress and many Republican governors, including Christie, oppose the increase. The Democratic-led Senate has tried and failed repeatedly to advance the issue, and House Speaker John Boehner has said his Republican-led chamber won’t consider it.

“All the Democrats and the president want to talk about is minimum wage,” Christie, 52, told reporters today at a diner in Bordentown, New Jersey, where he was campaigning for congressional candidate Tom MacArthur, a Republican from Toms River. “The reason they want to do that is because they have not had the kind of growth in this country that we should be having in terms of wages and better jobs.”

New Jersey voters last November approved a constitutional amendment that will increase the...
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Chris Christie berated by U.S. Labor Secretary over minimum wage comments

Today's post was shared by Steven Greenhouse and comes from www.nj.com

In this Sept. 14, 2014 file photo, protesters participate in a rally outside a McDonaldis on Chicago's south side as labor organizers escalate their campaign raise the minimum wage for employees to $15 an hour. As Democrats across the country make an election-year push to raise the minimum wage, they are also looking to motivate younger people, minorities and others in their base to go to the polls on Nov. 4th. The party has put questions on the ballot in five states asking voters whether the minimum wage should be increased.
TRENTON — Speaking at a Bloomberg News event in Washington D.C. today, U.S. Secretary of Labor Tom Perez said Gov. Chris Christie has “got his head in the sand” when it comes to the nation's lowest-paid workers.
Earlier this week, Christie made headlines by saying he was "tired" of hearing about the minimum wage as a mid-term election issue.
According to a Bloomberg News report, Perez noted that when it comes to a national minimum wage, the U.S. is a dismal third-from-dead-last among the 34 nations in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, which includes the U.S., the United Kingdom, most Western European nations, Scandinavia, Mexico and Australia.
"I mean, we suck,” Perez said.
Minimum wage in New Jersey is now $8.25, a base rate that was hiked just this year, after voters passed a legislatively-referred...

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Friday, January 3, 2014

NJ Governor Authorizes Friday Closure Of State Offices for All Non-Essential Workers

In anticipation of the severe winter storm expected to arrive in New Jersey beginning Thursday evening, Governor Chris Christie declared a State of Emergency, authorizing the State Director of Emergency Management to activate and coordinate the preparation, response and recovery efforts for the storm with all county and municipal emergency operations and governmental agencies. Governor Christie also authorized the closing of state offices on Friday, January 3rd for all non-essential employees.
“The impending weather conditions over the next several days will produce a variety of dangerous travel conditions throughout the state,” said Governor Christie. “I’ve authorized state officials to take all necessary action in advance of the storm, and my Administration will continue monitoring conditions throughout the remainder of the storm. I encourage all New Jerseyans to stay off the roads if possible so that our first responders and public safety officials can safely respond to any emergency situations.”
Starting Thursday evening, the storm is expected to bring high winds, heavy snow, mixed precipitation, storm surges and sub-zero temperatures throughout the state. A potential mixture of hazardous travel conditions, fallen trees and power outages and coastal, stream and river flooding are anticipated.
A copy of the Governor’s Executive Order declaring the State of Emergency [pdf 14kB].

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Saturday, November 16, 2013

Chris Christie's Failure Shows Just How Popular He Is

Today's post was shared by Mother Jones and comes from www.motherjones.com

Former New Jersey governor Tom Kean is apparently pretty annoyed with Chris Christie, partly for personal reasons and partly because Christie failed to help any other Republicans get elected to the state legislature.

The full failure of Christie's "coattails" campaign is only now being known. Christie had wanted to win the state senate, cutting ads and campaigning for key candidates. None of his challengers unseated any Democrats. The total Republican gain in the Assembly appears to be... one. That's better than 2011, when Democrats gained a seat, but even if you factor in the gerrymander that protects Democrats, Kean and other Republicans are amazed that Christie could win by 21 points and carry almost nobody along with him.

OK, but isn't there another way of looking at this? It shows just how popular Christie is personally even in a state that shows no sign whatsoever of warming up to Republicans in general. That's fairly remarkable.
I'll admit this a slatepitchy kind of argument to make, and I don't know if I really even believe it. Weigel is certainly right that this leaves Christie in the unenviable position of having to scrape and compromise with Democrats for the next few years, something that's unlikely to help his presidential ambitions much. If his compromises succeed, he's a sellout. If they fail, he's a guy who can't get anything done. That kind of sucks.
Still! His personal brand is obviously pretty sky high. That has to count for something.

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Sunday, October 20, 2013

New Jersey Supreme Court rules state must begin allowing same-sex marriages

Statutory dependency in workers' compensation claims will have an expanded meaning on Monday when same-sex marriages are allowed beginning on Monday in New Jersey. Today's post is shared from jurist.org.

The New Jersey Supreme Court [official website] on Friday ruled [text, PDF] that the state must begin recognizing same-sex marriages. The court declined to issue a stay on a lower court's decision [text, PDF] pending appeal. The lower court ruling found that, in light of US v. Windsor [SCOTUSBlog backgrounder; JURIST report], the status of civil unions deprive same-sex couples of federal benefits enjoyed by married couples. That ruling was challenged [JURIST report] by Governor Chris Christie [official website], who has argued recognition should be delayed pending a statewide referendum. Chief Justice Rabner rejected the state's claim that it will suffer irreparable harm if the order is allowed to be enforced, finding that no tangible harm can be found. The unanimous court held:

Because, among other reasons, the State has not shown a reasonable probability of success on the merits, the trial court's order directing State officials to permit same-sex couples, who are otherwise eligible, to enter into civil marriage starting on October 21, 2013 remains in effect. The lower court's ruling was allowed to stand, pending a hearing on the merits in January.

The heated debate regarding same-sex marriage [JURIST backgrounder] is one of the most polarizing [JURIST op-ed] issues currently facing the US legal community....

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Saturday, October 19, 2013

Mold: Free Class Shows Workers and Homeowners How to Deal It After Sandy

Workers have been exposed to toxic substances including mold following hurricane Sandy. The NJ Environmental Council is taking action to help. Today's post is shared from njtvonline.org where the video can be seen.

Nearly a year after the superstorm hammered the state, many of the hazards Sandy left behind still remain, posing a serious threat to those rebuilding.

“Well I think the biggest thing is that folks don’t realize this isn’t over. The reality is, is that we’re still having problems throughout the state. We have black mold, we have debris removal being done,” said American Federation of Teachers New Jersey Vice President Joyce Sagi.

That’s why the New Jersey Work Environment Council is offering free training classes targeted for workers, volunteers and homeowners.

“The takeaway for all of this is that we want people to do the work that they’re doing with clean-up and removal and rebuilding, safely,” said New Jersey Work Environment Council Communications Coordinator Janice Selinger.

A main focus of today’s class — mold, a fungus that only takes 72 hours to grow in damp places.
“But it’s gonna keep growing cause the way it reproduces, it sends off spores which are microscopic particles and wherever they land, they can start a new colony,” said Industrial Hygiene Consultant for the New Jersey Work Environment Council Fran Gillmore.

Only about 10 percent of the population is...

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Thursday, October 10, 2013

NJ Work Environment Council Says State at Risk from Chemical Disasters

Today's post shared from http://www.njtvonline.org

New Jersey Work Environmental Council representatives say millions in the state are still at risk from major toxic chemical disasters.

At a Statehouse press conference today, the New Jersey Work Environment Council released a new 43-page report, entitled “Failure to Act,” which says thousands of New Jersey jobs and millions of residents are still at risk from toxic chemical disasters.

These findings come five years after the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection adopted rules to implement the NJ Toxic Catastrophe Prevention Act that were supposed to reduce that risk.

Photo by Dari Kotzker.

The author of the report found that 99 facilities still use large quantities of highly hazardous chemicals that can pose a potential catastrophic safety and health risk for millions of people. Many facilities failed to consider solutions for using safer chemicals and processes which already exist and are successful, and a lack of enforcement from the Christie administration.

Some recommendations include stopping facility management from declaring safer technology reviews as secret, require facility management to better document their claims that adopting safer chemicals and technologies are not feasible, and to withdraw the DEP “waiver rule” that allows the agency to not enforce the IST provisions of the Toxic Catastrophe Prevention Act.

Other speakers spoke of the potentially dangerous risks workers, first responders, nurses and...

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Friday, October 4, 2013

Hearing set for N.J. SC nominee

Today's post was shared by Legal Newsline and comes from legalnewsline.com

A hearing has been scheduled for one of New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie’s state Supreme Court nominees.

According to NewsWorks, the Senate Judiciary Committee has scheduled a hearing for Oct. 17 on Judge Faustino Fernandez-Vina’s nomination to the state’s high court.

Christie, whose previous attempts to fill the vacant seats on the state’s high court have failed, nominated Fernandez-Vina in August.

The Cuban-born Republican has served as a judge on the New Jersey Superior Court since July 2004.

“In the words of the late Sen. John Adler, Judge Fernandez-Vina had ‘the highest level of competence and he’s just the total package,’” Christie said in August.

“Last year Chief Justice (Stuart) Rabner named Judge Fernandez-Vina the assignment judge of the Camden Vicinage. At that time, the chief justice said the following, ‘Judge Fernandez-Vina brings to the position of assignment judge a wealth of experience, a proven, practical approach to addressing issues, superb judgment and the respect of the bench and bar.’ Those are his words not mine.”

Christie said he couldn’t agree more.

“Beyond his time in public life Judge Fernandez-Vina had 22 years of private sector legal experience where he tried in excess of 100 cases and was a certified civil trial attorney certified by the New Jersey Supreme Court,” the governor said, noting...

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Saturday, September 28, 2013

Judge Orders New Jersey to Allow Gay Marriage

Dependency benefits under the NJ workers' compensation system are going to expand.

A New Jersey judge ruled on Friday that the state must allow same-sex couples to marry, saying that not doing so deprives them of rights that were guaranteed by the United States Supreme Court in June.

It is the first time a court has struck down a state’s refusal to legalize same-sex marriage as a direct result of the Supreme Court ruling, and with lawsuits pending in other states, it could presage other successful challenges across the country.

The decision was a rebuff to Gov. Chris Christie, a Republican who vetoed a bill passed by the Legislature last year that would have allowed same-sex couples to marry. His office said it would appeal to the state’s highest court. And he is likely to seek a stay preventing same-sex marriages from beginning on Oct. 21, as the judge ordered.

New Jersey was particularly ripe for a challenge after the Supreme Court ruling, because of a previous ruling by the state’s highest court in 2006. In that decision, in the case Lewis v. Harris, the New Jersey Supreme Court ruled unanimously that same-sex couples were entitled to all of the rights and benefits of marriage. But the court stopped short of saying they had a fundamental right to marry, and in an unusual step instructed the Legislature to define how to confer equal protection.

“The ineligibility of same-sex couples for federal benefits is currently harming same-sex couples in New Jersey in a wide range of contexts,” Judge Mary C. Jacobson of State...

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Thursday, September 26, 2013

N.J. boosts public workers' insurance coverage for alcoholism, drug addiction

Obesity is a front page story in NJ every day as Governor Christie struggles to loose weight. While the Governor spoke in April 2013 about revising the state's workers' compensation system, he has been silent on the subject after his initial announcement. With an election quickly approaching in November he has turned to the endorsement of legislation to treat drug addiction mental illness and obesity. All of these efforts are strong indicators that a healthier workforce is being encouraged and will ultimately benefit the workers' compensation system by reducing pre-existing and co-existing conditions. Today's post was shared by WCBlog and comes from www.nj.com

Gov. Chris Christie, shown here in Asbury Park at an unrelated event today, announced that the state's health benefits plan for public workers will cover alcoholism and drug addiction the same as other mental illnesses starting next year.Tony Kurdzuk/The Star-Ledger

More than 200,000 public workers in New Jersey will get enhanced insurance coverage for mental illnesses such as alcoholism and drug addiction beginning next year, Gov. Chris Christie announced today.

A committee of state and union officials approved "mental health parity" on Friday for the state's second-largest health benefits plan. It means the same level of coverage now provided for a biologically-based mental illness — such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder — will apply to other types of illnesses such as alcoholism, drug addiction and eating disorders.

The expansion is expected to cost "less than $5.1 million a year" and will affect more than 217,000 current and retired workers enrolled in the State Health Benefits Program, Christie's office said in a news release today. The insurance plan covers state, county and local government workers as well as employees of New Jersey's public colleges and universities, and their dependent family members.

Along with that change, the committee approved "four new lower-cost health plan options" and a new "wellness program" that seeks to encourage healthier lifestyles by offering workers gift cards worth $100 to $250 per person every...

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Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Christie Vetoes Bill That Would Have Prevented Some Truck Drivers From Being Treated As Independent Contractors

Today's post was shared by WCBlog and comes from njtoday.net

Gov. Chris Christie vetoed a bill that would have protected some truck drivers from being inappropriately classified as “independent contractors,” drawing criticism from one of the bill’s sponsors.

“Because of the Governor’s veto, unethical companies will continue to skirt the law by gaming the system to avoid paying their fair share of taxes,” said Assembly Deputy Speaker John S. Wisniewski. “In doing so, they will also continue to deprive their drivers of Social Security, Medicare, Workers’ Compensation and Unemployment benefits.”

This “is just the latest example of the Governor siding against hard working New Jerseyans. His veto keeps in place a system that is unfair to workers and unfair to those companies that play by the rules,” Wisniewski said.

The bill passed by a 43-30-5 vote in the Assembly and a 21-17 vote in the state Senate, so lawmakers are unlikely to override the governor’s veto.

Under the bill, “drayage,” or short-distance truckers, and parcel delivery drivers could not be classified as “independent contractors” unless the employers can show that the workers are truly independent. The businesses would have to demonstrate to the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development that the workers are free from their day-to-day control, that the service is outside the usual course or place of business and that the employee is customarily...

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Friday, August 30, 2013

Social Media Passwords Off Limits to Employers

NJ Governor Chris Christie signed legislation that prohibits requirement to disclose user name, password, or other means for accessing account or service through electronic communications device by employers.

See A2878

Read more about "social media" and workers' compensation:

Workers' Compensation: Facebook Disclosure for 87 Class Action ...

Aug 15, 2013

Social media accounts, typically Facebook, are currently a hot-button issue for plaintiff ESI production in civil litigation. Most courts (but not all!) require a threshold showing that the public account has relevant information that ...

http://workers-compensation.blogspot.com/

Workers' Compensation: Privacy, Clients and Social Media Discussion

Apr 14, 2011

Social networking has become a popular topic within the workers' comp community. In this edition of Workers' Comp Matters, host Attorney Alan S. Pierce, welcomes Attorney Jon L. Gelman, to take a look a social networking ...

http://workers-compensation.blogspot.com/

Workers' Compensation: Using Social Media to Expand Your ...

Jul 02, 2012

The Workers' Compensation and Workplace Injury Section, invites you to the 2012 AAJ (American Association for Justice) Annual Convention in Chicago. A goal of the Section is to provide for our members the best ...

http://workers-compensation.blogspot.com/

Why Injured Workers Should Deactivate Their Social Media Accounts

Dec 03, 2012

Recently, it seems as though everyone is connected through social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter. These tools have become a great way to keep in touch with friends and family scattered all over the world.

http://workers-compensation.blogspot.com/

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Governor Christie Vetoes First Responder Workers' Compensation Bill

NJ Governor Chris Christie has vetoed legislation that would would have created a presumption that of compensability for first responders who contracted cancer. He calls NJ workers' compensation system "successful" as is.

S-1778/A-1196 (Greenstein/Stender, Egan, O’Donnell, Wimberly) – ABSOLUTE - ‟Thomas P. Canzanella Twenty First Century First Responders Protection Act”; concerns workers’ compensation for public safety workers.

July 18, 2013
SENATE BILL NO. 1778
(First Reprint)
To the Senate:
Pursuant to Article V, Section I, Paragraph 14 of the New
Jersey Constitution, I am returning Senate Bill No. 1778 (First
Reprint) without my approval.
Since New Jersey’s workers’ compensation law was enacted
more than a century ago, the unique circumstances surrounding
workplace injuries of all employees – including our State’s
public safety workers – have been considered in the context of
the fact-sensitive circumstances surrounding each incident.
This time-tested process appropriately balances all facts
necessary to determine a proper compensation award. In
contrast, this bill alters that careful balance by providing
public safety workers with a presumption to workers’
compensation, rebuttable only by clear and convincing evidence.
This sweeping new standard would apply to disabilities
associated with an array of enumerated incidents and, in some
cases, disabilities not tethered to any work-related incident at
all.
As a State, we must continually recognize the selfless
contributions of our first responders. Day in and day out,
these brave women and men make enormous sacrifices in order to
ensure our collective safety, health, and well-being against all
manner of threats. That essential public service, and the costs
associated with the injuries those duties may cause, must be
administered in a responsible manner that matches our public
resources. Although this measure would likely have a
significant impact on State, local, and municipal government
budgets, the bill’s sponsors refused to obtain a fiscal analysis
or refer the bill to either house’s respective budget
committees. Regrettably, the Legislature’s failure to pursue
the responsible course of thoroughly reviewing the significant
changes to a successful and long-standing system, and the
corresponding impact of this proposal on taxpayers, prevent my
approval.
Our public safety workers are vital to our State and I am
committed to ensuring their well-being and protection. Reasoned
suggestions for improving those practices should be openly and
honestly evaluated. While I welcome a discussion on new ways to
enhance the lives of emergency responders, the truncated and
insufficient manner in which this proposal was prepared and
passed is not consistent with our responsibility as elected
representatives of all citizens.
Accordingly, I herewith return Senate Bill No. 1778 (First
Reprint) without my approval.
Respectfully,
[seal] /s/ Chris Christie
Governor
Attest:
/s/ Charles B. McKenna

Chief Counsel to the Governor

Read more about workers compensation and Governor Christie

NJ Governor Christie to Propose Workers' Compensation Reform

Apr 23, 2013

“'We're going to be coming up with a package of proposals that's going to work both sides of that,' Christie told a caller on his monthly NJ 101.5 FM radio show tonight. 'The employers who may not be stepping up and meeting ...

http://workers-compensation.blogspot.com/
....
For over 3 decades the Law Offices of Jon L. Gelman 1.973.696.7900 jon@gelmans.com have been representing injured workers and their families who have suffered occupational accidents and illnesses.

Copyright

Sunday, October 26, 2014

ACLU demands Christie give legal reason for quarantining nurse who's tested negative for Ebola

Saturday, October 25, 2014

Cuomo and Christie Order Strict Ebola Quarantines

'We Suck' on Minimum Wage, U.S. Labor Chief Says; Christie Has 'Head in the Sand'

Chris Christie berated by U.S. Labor Secretary over minimum wage comments

Friday, January 3, 2014

NJ Governor Authorizes Friday Closure Of State Offices for All Non-Essential Workers

Saturday, November 16, 2013

Chris Christie's Failure Shows Just How Popular He Is

Sunday, October 20, 2013

New Jersey Supreme Court rules state must begin allowing same-sex marriages

Saturday, October 19, 2013

Mold: Free Class Shows Workers and Homeowners How to Deal It After Sandy

Thursday, October 10, 2013

NJ Work Environment Council Says State at Risk from Chemical Disasters

Friday, October 4, 2013

Hearing set for N.J. SC nominee

Saturday, September 28, 2013

Judge Orders New Jersey to Allow Gay Marriage

Thursday, September 26, 2013

N.J. boosts public workers' insurance coverage for alcoholism, drug addiction

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Christie Vetoes Bill That Would Have Prevented Some Truck Drivers From Being Treated As Independent Contractors

Friday, August 30, 2013

Social Media Passwords Off Limits to Employers

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Governor Christie Vetoes First Responder Workers' Compensation Bill

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