Christie Makes Judges’ Pensions An Election Issue

Gov. Chris Christie is making judicial pensions an election issue.

Christie held a campaign event in Trenton with more than 50 Republican lawmakers on Tuesday to show the GOP’s united in supporting a constitutional amendment forcing judges to pay more

for retirement benefits.

Democratic leaders say they prefer allowing the case to go through the courts before deciding whether to put it to voters. And Christie called for every Democrat to state their position

publicly.

Superior Court Judge Linda Feinberg ruled last week that increasing judges’ pension contributions by 9 percent violates the constitution because it effectively reduces their salaries.

Christie blasted Feinberg’s ruling, which negated part of his effort to overhaul the pension system for New Jersey’s 500,000 public workers. The state is appealing. Legislative elections are Nov. 8.