N.J. Sen. Testa plans legislation to restore cost-of-living adjustments for retired police, firefighters
TRENTON, N.J. — State Sen. Michael Testa plans to introduce legislation that would provide cost-of-living adjustments to retired New Jersey police officers and firefighters, saying the state should fulfill its commitment to retired first responders.
Testa, a Republican representing Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland counties, said the proposed legislation would provide a cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA, for retired police officers and firefighters.
“Before Trenton spends another dollar on free services for illegal immigrants, we need to take care of the people who take care of us,” said Sen. Testa. “Our police officers and firefighters run toward danger when everyone else runs away. They protect our families and our communities. A COLA was promised to them and we need to deliver.”
Testa said he plans to pay for the proposal by redirecting state funding currently used for programs serving immigrants who are in the country illegally.
“Over the last five years, Democrats have spent more than a half billion dollars in taxpayer money for illegal immigrants,” Testa said. “That includes 100 percent taxpayer-funded health care for children of illegal immigrants, as well as taxpayer-funded legal services for illegal immigrants. New Jersey has the money; the question is whether Trenton has the courage to spend it on the right priorities.”
According to information cited by Testa from the nonpartisan New Jersey Office of Legislative Services, two programs providing health care coverage for children and legal services for immigrants have cost taxpayers more than $500 million over the past five years.
