TRENTON - A battle is brewing at the New Jersey Statehouse over whether to cap salary increases for public employees who can't strike.
Mayors want arbitration awards to police and firefighters capped at 2 percent to help them control property taxes.
Union officials say a 2 percent ceiling on salary and benefits awards would mean pay givebacks once health care cost increases are factored in.
Both sides will make their case to a Senate committee Thursday.
Gov. Chris Christie's reform agenda includes making the arbitration process more favorable to municipalities.
Christie signed a law limiting property tax increases to 2 percent a year beginning in January.
Mayors say they'll have to cut services unless the state finds ways to help them lower costs.
