State workers in NJ off for Lincoln's Birthday

TRENTON, N.J - February 11, 2008 Most states merged Lincoln's birthday with George Washington's birthday as part of President's Day, which falls on February 18 this year. But New Jersey workers get both days off.

That prompted Assembly Budget Chairman Lou Greenwald of Camden to propose changing state law so that state workers no longer get the Lincoln holiday off. In exchange, they would get a holiday on the day after Thanksgiving.

For years, state workers got that day as a holiday by gubernatorial proclamation, but Democratic Gov. Jon S. Corzine refused to grant it last year.

Carla Katz, president of the largest state worker union chapter, says legislators don't have the right to change state holidays outside of contract talks.