Stephen Sweeney

Senate President Stephen Sweeney is calling for an investigation of public union threats tying campaign cash to a pension vote.

TRENTON -- Senate President Stephen Sweeney said Wednesday that threats by public worker unions to withhold campaign contributions unless the Senate passes pension legislation amounts to "bribery" and "extortion" and should be investigated by state and federal officials.

At a Statehouse news conference, Sweeney (D-Gloucester) responded to reports the state's largest teachers union, the New Jersey Education Association, told county Democratic Party chairmen it wouldn't release campaign cash until next spring as a cudgel to force action on a proposed constitutional amendment guaranteeing billions of dollars in contributions to the government worker pension fund.

Sweeney also said his office received a direct threat from the president of the Fraternal Order of Police. He penned letters to the U.S. attorney and state attorney general requesting they investigate the threats as violations of both state and federal bribery laws.

"I think a crime was committed," Sweeney said. He added that unions can do what they want with their money, but when they hold it hostage to specific official action, it goes beyond politics as usual.

"These unions are no longer engaging in public advocacy issues focused on education of our children," Sweeney said. "Instead they have made specific threats regarding specific legislative actions that benefit the pocketbooks of its members. These unions have made it clear that unless they get their way, they will deliver on their threats. Using political and financial threats to coerce public officials is an assault on the integrity of the legislative process and honest government. And it could be illegal."

The NJEA is the state's most powerful public-sector union, contributing millions of dollars to Democratic campaigns through its well-endowed political action committees.

NJEA President Wendell Steinhauer said "the Senate president is lashing out in frustration over a tough week with trying to get the Transportation Trust Fund done and tangling up the constitutional amendment on pensions in the process."

Bergen, Atlantic and Essex county Democratic leaders told NJ Advance Media they were personally contacted by a NJEA lobbyist who warned their campaign cash was in jeopardy.

Sweeney said he received calls relaying the NJEA's message from concerned county chairmen, and his office received an explicit threat from Fraternal Order of Police President Bob Fox.

An internal office email describing the voicemail says Fox said no Democratic or Republican state senator would receive a contribution from the FOP until the resolution to put the referendum on the ballot is passed.

Fox did not immediately respond to a message left for comment.

Steinhauer said the union has spoken with its attorneys who assured "there is nothing illegal or unethical in what has transpired."

"NJEA's support for politicians is not an entitlement; it is earned. We have a responsibility to use our members' voluntary political contributions to support their priorities. NJEA has simply informed legislators and party officials that we are withholding support that we are under no obligation to give," he said.

The constitutional amendment would require the state increase payments into the government worker pension fund.

Sweeney sponsored and championed the amendment but has so far declined to hold a Senate vote to put the amendment before voters until lawmakers resolve a transportation funding impasse.

He was booed by public workers Monday when he adjourned a Senate session without holding a vote on the referendum, and teachers protested outside his south Jersey legislative office Wednesday.

The potentially steep price tag of a future deal to fund the Transportation Trust Fund could jeopardize funding for the pension amendment and force the state to raise taxes to keep up with the payment schedule, Sweeney explained.

Sweeney and Gov. Chris Christie disagree on a funding scheme for the trust fund. They've offered competing tax cuts to cushion the blow of a 23-cent increase on gasoline sold in New Jersey. Christie's tax package would cost the state treasury more than twice Sweeney's.

The Senate has until Monday to vote and submit the referendum for the fall ballot.

Samantha Marcus may be reached at smarcus@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @samanthamarcus. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.