>Judge declares public employee pension and benefit contribution hikes do not apply to fellow judges
Gov. Chris Christie Monday night called “outrageous, self-serving” a judge’s decision earlier in the day that the state’s new pension and health benefits’ plan is unconstitutional as it applies to Superior Court judges and Supreme Court justices.
Assignment Judge Linda Feinberg, sitting in Trenton, ruled the increased health benefits and pension contributions that Christie and Democratic legislative leaders put into effect on June 28, are unconstitutional as it applies to the judges because it amounts to a reduction in their salaries.
The ruling does not affect state and local public employees, including teachers, police and firefighters, who are now paying the increased costs. (Hester, New Jersey Newsroom)
