Lawmakers say they have a plan to fix New Jersey's fiscal crisis, restore the stability of the pension system and save tens of billions of dollars for taxpayers.

And, in the process, the 27-bill package would also wipe out nearly 300 school districts – or more. The bills also would create a pilot program testing the viability of countywide school districts (see list of school districts and below). Senate President Steve Sweeney, Sens. Paul Sarlo and Steve Oroho and Assembly Majority Leader Lou Greenwald have unveiled a package of "Path to Progress" bills designed to create real, sustainable tax relief, they say.

Sweeney said the bills are intended to provide stability to a state with the highest property taxes, the second-largest unfunded pension liability, the second-worst credit rating and the fifth-highest overall tax burden in the nation. The bill package comes just after lawmakers killed a bill to legalize marijuana in New Jersey. Read more: NJ Marijuana Legalization Bill Is Dead: Voters Will Decide

"These reforms can have an historic impact that will produce an unprecedented amount of sustained savings," Sweeney said. "They will help make New Jersey more affordable, especially for hard working middle class families. Among the 27 bills are measures requiring the:



Creation of a hybrid pension plan for teachers and non-uniformed state, county and municipal employees.

Merger of the School Employees Health Benefits Plan into the State Health Benefits Plan to be run by an expanded Plan Design Committee, and the shift of all public employees from Platinum-level healthcare plans to Gold plans with an actuarial value of no more than 80 percent upon the expiration of current contracts.

Require county school superintendents to develop regionalization plans to merge all K-4, K-6 and K-8 districts into K-12 regional school systems. The plan would provide funding for regionalization studies, require all local school districts to coordinate both curriculum and schedules with the regional high schools to which they send students, and set up a pilot program permitting the establishment of countywide school districts. The legislation introduced on Thursday was developed by the Sweeney-backed Economic and Fiscal Policy Workgroup of economists, academics, government experts and legislators. The group was put together by Sweeney and it's chaired by Sarlo.

"If we fail to act, property taxes will continue to go up, and pension, health benefits and debt service will continue to eat up every penny of state revenue growth over the next three years, crowding out our ability to make the investments we need to make to increase aid to growing school districts, expand preschool, fix NJ Transit, make college affordable and provide funding for social service programs that serve our most vulnerable citizens," Sweeney said.

Here are the districts that would be eliminated under the proposed legislation: ABSECON CITY, ATLANTIC K-8

ALEXANDRIA TWP, HUNTERDON K-8

ALLAMUCHY TWP, WARREN K-8

ALLENDALE BORO, BERGEN K-8

ALLOWAY TWP, SALEM K-8

ALPHA BORO, WARREN K-8

ALPINE BORO, BERGEN K-8

ANDOVER REG, SUSSEX K-8

ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS BORO, MONMOUTH K-6

AVALON BORO, CAPE MAY K-8

AVON BORO, MONMOUTH K-8

BARRINGTON BORO, CAMDEN K-8

BASS RIVER TWP, BURLINGTON K-6

BAY HEAD BORO, OCEAN K-8

BEACH HAVEN BORO, OCEAN K-6

BEDMINSTER TWP, SOMERSET K-8

BELLMAWR BORO, CAMDEN K-8

BELMAR BORO, MONMOUTH K-8

BERKELEY TWP, OCEAN K-6

BERLIN BORO, CAMDEN K-8

BERLIN TWP, CAMDEN K-8

BETHLEHEM TWP, HUNTERDON K-8

BEVERLY CITY, BURLINGTON K-8

BLAIRSTOWN TWP, WARREN K-6

BLOOMINGDALE BORO, PASSAIC K-8

BLOOMSBURY BORO, HUNTERDON K-8

BOONTON TWP, MORRIS K-8

BRADLEY BEACH BORO, MONMOUTH K-8

BRANCHBURG TWP, SOMERSET K-8

BRIELLE BORO, MONMOUTH K-8

BRIGANTINE CITY, ATLANTIC K-8

BROOKLAWN BORO, CAMDEN K-8

BYRAM TWP, SUSSEX K-8

CALIFON BORO, HUNTERDON K-8

CAPE MAY CITY, CAPE MAY K-6

CARLSTADT BORO, BERGEN K-8

CHESTER TWP, MORRIS K-8

CHESTERFIELD TWP, BURLINGTON K-6

CLEMENTON BORO, CAMDEN K-8

CLINTON TWP, HUNTERDON K-8

CLINTON-GLEN GARDNER, HUNTERDON K-8

CLOSTER BORO, BERGEN K-8

COLTS NECK TWP, MONMOUTH K-8

COMMERCIAL TWP, CUMBERLAND K-8

CRANBURY TWP, MIDDLESEX K-8

DEAL BORO, MONMOUTH K-8

DEERFIELD TWP, CUMBERLAND K-8

DELANCO TWP, BURLINGTON K-8

DELAWARE TWP, HUNTERDON K-8

DEMAREST BORO, BERGEN K-8

DENNIS TWP, CAPE MAY K-8

DENVILLE TWP, MORRIS K-8

DOWNE TWP, CUMBERLAND K-8

EAGLESWOOD TWP, OCEAN K-6

EAST AMWELL TWP, HUNTERDON K-8

EAST GREENWICH TWP, GLOUCESTER K-6

EAST HANOVER TWP, MORRIS K-8

EAST NEWARK BORO, HUDSON K-8

EAST RUTHERFORD BORO, BERGEN K-8

EASTAMPTON TWP, BURLINGTON K-8

EATONTOWN BORO, MONMOUTH K-8

EDGEWATER BORO, BERGEN K-6

EDGEWATER PARK TWP, BURLINGTON K-8

EGG HARBOR CITY, ATLANTIC K-8

ELK TWP, GLOUCESTER K-6

ELSINBORO TWP, SALEM K-8

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS BORO, BERGEN K-8

ESSEX FELLS BORO, ESSEX K-6

ESTELL MANOR CITY, ATLANTIC K-8

EVESHAM TWP, BURLINGTON K-8

FAIR HAVEN BORO, MONMOUTH K-8

FAIRFIELD TWP, ESSEX K-6

FAIRFIELD TWP, CUMBERLAND K-8

FAIRVIEW BORO, BERGEN K-8

FARMINGDALE BORO, MONMOUTH K-8

FLEMINGTON-RARITAN REG, HUNTERDON K-8

FLORHAM PARK BORO, MORRIS K-8

FOLSOM BORO, ATLANTIC K-8

FRANKFORD TWP, SUSSEX K-8

FRANKLIN BORO, SUSSEX K-8

FRANKLIN LAKES BORO, BERGEN K-8

FRANKLIN TWP, GLOUCESTER K-6

FRANKLIN TWP, WARREN K-6

FRANKLIN TWP, HUNTERDON K-8

FREDON TWP, SUSSEX K-6

FREEHOLD BORO, MONMOUTH K-8

FREEHOLD TWP, MONMOUTH K-8

FRELINGHUYSEN TWP, WARREN K-6

FRENCHTOWN BORO, HUNTERDON K-8

GALLOWAY TWP, ATLANTIC K-8

GARWOOD BORO, UNION K-8

GIBBSBORO BORO, CAMDEN K-8

GLOUCESTER TWP, CAMDEN K-8

GREAT MEADOWS REGIONAL, WARREN K-8

GREEN BROOK TWP, SOMERSET K-8

GREEN TWP, SUSSEX K-8

GREENWICH TWP, CUMBERLAND K-8

GREENWICH TWP, GLOUCESTER K-8

GREENWICH TWP, WARREN K-8

GUTTENBERG TOWN, HUDSON K-8

HAINESPORT TWP, BURLINGTON K-8

HALEDON BORO, PASSAIC K-8

HAMBURG BORO, SUSSEX K-8

HAMILTON TWP, ATLANTIC K-8

HAMPTON BORO, HUNTERDON K-8

HAMPTON TWP, SUSSEX K-6

HANOVER TWP, MORRIS K-8

HARDING TOWNSHIP, MORRIS K-8

HARDYSTON TWP, SUSSEX K-8

HARMONY TWP, WARREN K-8

HARRINGTON PARK BORO, BERGEN K-8

HARRISON TWP, GLOUCESTER K-6

HAWORTH BORO, BERGEN K-8

HIGH BRIDGE BORO, HUNTERDON K-8

HIGHLANDS BORO, MONMOUTH K-6

HILLSDALE BORO, BERGEN K-8

HO HO KUS BORO, BERGEN K-8

HOLLAND TWP, HUNTERDON K-8

HOPE TWP, WARREN K-8

HOPEWELL TWP, CUMBERLAND K-8

HOWELL TWP, MONMOUTH K-8

ISLAND HEIGHTS BORO, OCEAN K-6

JAMESBURG BORO, MIDDLESEX K-8

KINGWOOD TWP, HUNTERDON K-8

KNOWLTON TWP, WARREN K-6

LAFAYETTE TWP, SUSSEX K-8

LAKEHURST BORO, OCEAN K-8

LAUREL SPRINGS BORO, CAMDEN K-6

LAVALLETTE BORO, OCEAN K-8

LAWNSIDE BORO, CAMDEN K-8

LAWRENCE TWP, CUMBERLAND K-8

LEBANON BORO, HUNTERDON K-6

LEBANON TWP, HUNTERDON K-8

LINCOLN PARK BORO, MORRIS K-8

LINWOOD CITY, ATLANTIC K-8

LITTLE EGG HARBOR TWP, OCEAN K-6

LITTLE FALLS TWP, PASSAIC K-8

LITTLE FERRY BORO, BERGEN K-8

LITTLE SILVER BORO, MONMOUTH K-8

LOGAN TWP, GLOUCESTER K-8

LONG BEACH ISLAND, OCEAN K-6

LONG HILL TWP, MORRIS K-8

LOPATCONG TWP, WARREN K-8

LOWER ALLOWAYS CREEK, SALEM K-8

LOWER TWP, CAPE MAY K-6

LUMBERTON TWP, BURLINGTON K-8

MAGNOLIA BORO, CAMDEN K-8

MANALAPAN-ENGLISHTOWN REG, MONMOUTH K-8

MANNINGTON TWP, SALEM K-8

MANSFIELD TWP, BURLINGTON K-6

MANSFIELD TWP, WARREN K-6

MANTUA TWP, GLOUCESTER K-6

MARGATE CITY, ATLANTIC K-8

MARLBORO TWP, MONMOUTH K-8

MAURICE RIVER TWP, CUMBERLAND K-8

MAYWOOD BORO, BERGEN K-8

MEDFORD LAKES BORO, BURLINGTON K-8

MEDFORD TWP, BURLINGTON K-8

MENDHAM BORO, MORRIS K-8

MENDHAM TWP, MORRIS K-8

MERCHANTVILLE BORO, CAMDEN K-8

MILFORD BORO, HUNTERDON K-8

MILLSTONE TWP, MONMOUTH K-8

MILLTOWN BORO, MIDDLESEX K-8

MINE HILL TWP, MORRIS K-6

MONMOUTH BEACH BORO, MONMOUTH K-8

MONTAGUE TWP, SUSSEX K-8

MONTVALE BORO, BERGEN K-8

MOONACHIE BORO, BERGEN K-8

MORRIS PLAINS BORO, MORRIS K-8

MOUNT ARLINGTON BORO, MORRIS K-8

MOUNT HOLLY TWP, BURLINGTON K-8

MOUNT LAUREL TWP, BURLINGTON K-8

MOUNTAINSIDE BORO, UNION K-8

MOUNT EPHRAIM, K-8

MULLICA TWP, ATLANTIC K-8

NATIONAL PARK BORO, GLOUCESTER K-6

NEPTUNE CITY, MONMOUTH K-8

NETCONG BORO, MORRIS K-8

NEW HANOVER TWP, BURLINGTON K-8

NORTH CALDWELL BORO, ESSEX K-6

NORTH HALEDON BORO, PASSAIC K-8

NORTH HANOVER TWP, BURLINGTON K-6

NORTH WILDWOOD CITY, CAPE MAY K-8

NORTHFIELD CITY, ATLANTIC K-8

NORTHVALE BORO, BERGEN K-8

NORWOOD BORO, BERGEN K-8

OAKLAND BORO, BERGEN K-8

OAKLYN BORO, K-9

OCEAN GATE BORO, OCEAN K-6

OCEAN TWP, OCEAN K-6

OCEANPORT BORO, MONMOUTH K-8

OGDENSBURG BORO, SUSSEX K-8

OLD TAPPAN BORO, BERGEN K-8

OLDMANS TWP, SALEM K-8

ORADELL BORO, BERGEN K-6

OXFORD TWP, WARREN K-8

POHATCONG TWP, WARREN K-8

PORT REPUBLIC CITY, ATLANTIC K-8

PROSPECT PARK BORO, PASSAIC K-8

QUINTON TWP, SALEM K-8

READINGTON TWP, HUNTERDON K-8

RED BANK BORO, MONMOUTH K-8

RINGWOOD BORO, PASSAIC K-8

RIVER EDGE BORO, BERGEN K-6

RIVER VALE TWP, BERGEN K-8

RIVERDALE BORO, MORRIS K-8

RIVERTON, BURLINGTON K-8

ROCHELLE PARK TWP, BERGEN K-8

ROCKAWAY BORO, MORRIS K-8

ROCKAWAY TWP, MORRIS K-8

ROOSEVELT BORO, MONMOUTH K-6

ROSELAND BORO, ESSEX K-6

RUMSON BORO, MONMOUTH K-8

RUNNEMEDE BORO, CAMDEN K-8

SADDLE RIVER BORO, BERGEN K-6

SANDYSTON-WALPACK TWP, SUSSEX K-6

SEA GIRT BORO, MONMOUTH K-8

SEASIDE HEIGHTS BORO, OCEAN K-6

SHAMONG TWP, BURLINGTON K-8

SHREWSBURY BORO, MONMOUTH K-8

SOMERDALE BORO, CAMDEN K-8

SOMERS POINT CITY, ATLANTIC K-8

SOUTH BOUND BROOK, SOMERSET K-8

SOUTH HACKENSACK TWP, BERGEN K-8

SOUTH HARRISON TWP, GLOUCESTER K-6

SOUTHAMPTON TWP, BURLINGTON K-8

SPRING LAKE BORO, MONMOUTH K-8

SPRING LAKE HEIGHTS BORO, MONMOUTH K-8

SPRINGFIELD TWP, BURLINGTON K-6

STAFFORD TWP, OCEAN K-6

STANHOPE BORO, SUSSEX K-8

STILLWATER TWP, SUSSEX K-6

STONE HARBOR BORO, CAPE MAY K-4

STOW CREEK TWP, CUMBERLAND K-8

STRATFORD BORO, CAMDEN K-8

SUSSEX-WANTAGE REGIONAL, SUSSEX K-8

SWEDESBORO-WOOLWICH, GLOUCESTER K-6

TABERNACLE TWP, BURLINGTON K-8

TEWKSBURY TWP, HUNTERDON K-8

TINTON FALLS, MONMOUTH K-8

TOTOWA BORO, PASSAIC K-8

TUCKERTON BORO, OCEAN K-6

UNION BEACH, MONMOUTH K-8

UNION TWP, HUNTERDON K-8

UPPER DEERFIELD TWP, CUMBERLAND K-8

UPPER PITTSGROVE TWP, SALEM K-8

UPPER SADDLE RIVER BORO, BERGEN K-8

UPPER TWP, CAPE MAY K-8

VENTNOR CITY, ATLANTIC K-8

VOORHEES TWP, CAMDEN K-8

WANAQUE BORO, PASSAIC K-8

WARREN TWP, SOMERSET K-8

WASHINGTON BORO, WARREN K-6

WASHINGTON TWP, WARREN K-6

WASHINGTON TWP, MORRIS K-8

WATCHUNG BORO, SOMERSET K-8

WATERFORD TWP, CAMDEN K-6

WENONAH BORO, GLOUCESTER K-6

WEST CAPE MAY BORO, CAPE MAY K-6

WEST LONG BRANCH BORO, MONMOUTH K-8

WESTAMPTON, BURLINGTON K-8

WESTVILLE BORO, GLOUCESTER K-6

WEYMOUTH TWP, ATLANTIC K-8

WHARTON BORO, MORRIS K-8

WHITE TWP, WARREN K-8

WILDWOOD CREST BORO, CAPE MAY K-8

WINFIELD TWP, UNION K-8

WOODBINE BORO, CAPE MAY K-8

WOODBURY HEIGHTS BORO, GLOUCESTER K-6

WOODCLIFF LAKE BORO, BERGEN K-8

WOODLAND PARK, PASSAIC K-8

WOODLAND TWP, BURLINGTON K-8

WOODLYNNE BORO, CAMDEN K-8

WYCKOFF TWP, BERGEN K-8 Here are the 27 bills: