Missing The Point

The Star-Ledger says Christie's 2.5% cap plan needs work. OK, fine - but then look at what they use as an example:

Christie’s plan for New Jersey would allow an override by referendum — but only if 60 percent of the voters approve. That is a heavy thumb on the scale of democracy and would make it nearly impossible to override the cap....

Think of the potential impact of this. Let’s assume a school district faces a bump in health care costs of 15 percent in a given year, and loses a big lawsuit that adds more unexpected costs. In order to meet the cap, the schools would inevitably have to lay off teachers. That is where the money is.

Um, am I missing something, or did the SL just imply that a 15% increase in health care costs is well within the realm of the possible?

Because if they are, I'd suggest that maybe they ought to get on Christie to do something about health care costs rising over 5 times the rate of inflation. Then maybe schools wouldn't need to break the cap.

Just a thought...