Gov. Christie Goes After ‘Elitist’ Judges

Ironically enough, 666 of the state constitution, (article 6, section 6, paragraph 6) speaks to the salaries of judges and how they cannot be diminished during their term.  Based on this a judge recently decided that paragraph protects hundreds of New Jersey judges from having to pay more into their benefits and retirement the way nearly half a million other state workers now have to.  Governor Christie was outraged.  I don't blame him.  While this promises to go to the State Supreme Court, the governor meanwhile is instead pushing for a constitutional ammendment.  However this is decided, it must be ruled that judges are no different than other state workers who have to contribute more to their own retirement and benefits.  Anything less is blatantly unfair.  Are judges salaries really being 'diminished' by the higher allocations?  When your medical contribution goes up it effects your net pay, but isn't your gross pay regularly the same?  If New Jersey (God forbid) raised state income taxes, wouldn't judges' take home pay be less but the overall gross annual salary remain the same?  Would that be diminishing their salary?  Are the judges relying on semantics to rule in their own favor?  Just asking.  When you go before a judge with issues of inability to pay child support, or any of a host of things where you living in the real world comes into play, remember you're being judged by someone who is living in a different stratosphere not only from you, but now apparently from all other state employees.  If Gov. Christie is calling up the troops to surround the ivory towers these judges live in, I'm all in favor .