State Supreme Court has yet to weigh in on whether Christie's pension and benefits overhaul also applies to judges Watch video
Gov. Chris Christie speaks in West New York Tuesday in this file photo. Today, a Mercer County Superior Court judge overruled a request by Christie's office to have N.J. judges contribute more toward pension and health benefits.TRENTON — Judges won't be paying more for their pensions and benefits, at least not in the short term, Superior Court Judge Linda Feinberg ruled today.
The state Supreme Court has yet to weigh in on whether Gov. Chris Christie's pension and benefits overhaul, which increased pension and benefits costs for all of New Jersey's public workers, also applies to judges.
In the meantime, Christie wanted judges to kick in more money, but Feinberg dismissed his request, saying the state could collect any back-due payments if and when the Supreme Court rules in his favor.
"If the decision by this court is overturned, the State is not without a remedy," she wrote. "(It) would be entitled to deduct reasonable amounts over time against future salary."
Feinberg, who sits in Mercer County, ruled last week that judges are exempt from paying higher contributions, since New Jersey's constitution protects them from any salary reductions ordered by the executive or legislative branches.
In response, Christie accused Feinberg of running a political patronage pit in the judiciary branch, and later assembled more than 50 state Republicans in Trenton to echo his criticisms.
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