Updated · New Jersey Globe | New Jersey Politics · Jun 17
Newark Council Pulls Gonzalez Lifetime Health Benefits Plan After 20-Year Service
Updated
Updated · New Jersey Globe | New Jersey Politics · Jun 17
Newark Council Pulls Gonzalez Lifetime Health Benefits Plan After 20-Year Service
3 articles · Updated · New Jersey Globe | New Jersey Politics · Jun 17
Summary
Newark City Council withdrew a resolution that would have granted outgoing Councilman Carlos Gonzalez taxpayer-funded lifetime health benefits and sent it back to Mayor Ras Baraka.
Hours after the proposal surfaced, support collapsed following media scrutiny and a request from Republican assemblymen for New Jersey state officials to investigate and block the special benefit.
The measure sought a one-time waiver for Gonzalez, who leaves office June 30 after 20 years, even though Newark employees typically need 25 years to receive lifetime health coverage.
Gonzalez, first elected in 2006 and not seeking re-election last month, has not been ruled out for the benefit permanently because the resolution could return to the council agenda.