A deal was reached last week between Gov. Christie, a Republican, Sweeney, and Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver (D., Essex) last week to muscle the measure through the Democratic-controlled Legislature, where the majority of their caucus had opposed it.
The South Jersey delegation took a lead role in the legislation, with Sweeney and Sen. Diane Allen (R., Burlington) sponsoring it in the Senate. Assemblyman Louis Greenwald (D., Camden) is sponsoring it in the Assembly, which will vote on the bill Thursday.
Legislators gave long speeches for and against the bill for two hours, with supporters saying it was necessary reform for a broken system and opponents saying that changes to health care should be reserved for the bargaining table.
Sen. Joseph Kyrillos (R., Monmouth), said the bill was about practicality, not about philosophy.
"It's the right thing and it also happens to be our only choice," he said.
Senator Norcross, an electricians' union leader, said his labor credentials are second to none but New Jersey faces an unprecedented crisis.
"The easy thing for me to do is tell people what they want to hear, and that's not what I'm here for," said Norcross.
Senate Majority Leader Barbara Buono (D., Middlesex) spoke out against the measure.
"Everyone knows there has to be compromise on health benefits, but while the governor has criticized others for not being tough enough on collective bargaining, he has made no effort at bargaining and instead results to legislation to circumvent what should have been ongoing negotiations with the state employee unions," she said.
Union contracts for state employees are set to expire shortly, and labor leaders have complained that Christie and the Legislature are not letting the bargaining process for new agreements play out.
