TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey legislation requiring a half-million public workers to shoulder a larger portion of their pension and health benefits costs and restricting collective bargaining over health care picked up steam this week, despite howls of protest from organized labor and backroom infighting that splintered the state's Democratic Party.

A Senate budget panel advanced the employee benefits bill Thursday as 3,500 union workers protested outside the Statehouse, setting up a potential showdown next week on the Senate floor.

"I view this as union busting," said Jersey City police officer Mark Razzoli, who was among those gathered at the Capitol. "Not that long ago we were heroes, you know. I was at ground zero, as many other people were. It is disgraceful what is going on here."

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