(TRENTON) – Assemblyman Reed Gusciora (D-Mercer/Hunterdon) released the following statement Wednesday after an Appellate Court upheld the Legislature’s effort to stop the Christie administration’s attempt to weaken Civil Service rules.
Gusciora was a lead sponsor of legislation invalidating the Civil Service Commission’s proposed rule establishing a job banding program:
“This is a great win for hard-working families, the taxpayers and the law.
“Gov. Christie’s attempted new rule was contrary to the spirit, intent and plain meaning of the idea that promotions of public employees must be based on merit and fitness through competitive examination.
“If the administration was allowed to do away with civil service exams in favor of job banding, a hardworking employee’s performance and aptitude would be largely ignored. That would open the door for nepotism and cronyism, which we can never accept.
“Equal employment opportunity at all levels of public service and protecting career public employees from political coercion is vital. We can never allow politics to trample proficiency in the hiring process.
“Taxpayers and public workers deserve a system based on merit, not favoritism, which is why this decision is so welcome and important.”