Politics & Government

NJ State Troopers Taking Christie to Court

A state judge will decide whether Governor Christie's reduction of pension plans is legal.

New Jersey State Police troopers are taking Governor Chris Christie to court for his plan to reduce pension payments. Superior Court Judge Mary Jacobson agreed yesterday to hear the case. 

Christie plans to balance the state budget by taking $2.4 billion out of pension funds for public workers, beginning with a $1.5 billion reduction in the new fiscal year, beginning July 1. 

State Police unions will challenge the reduction, which breaks a law covering pension reform that Christie signed in 2010. The plan has upset several unions in addition to the state troopers. 

Find out what's happening in Lawrencevillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Hetty Rosenstein, the state director of the Communications Workers of America, told the Star Ledger that "Christie's actions are immoral. 

"Governor Christie is not only breaking his word, but he's also breaking the law in failing to make these pension payments," Rosenstein said.

Find out what's happening in Lawrencevillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The cuts will affect 700,000 active enrollments and retirees, according to the Asbury Park Press. 

Christie's spokesman, Michael Drewniak, refused questions from the Star Ledger, saying, "We will address the claims in court as necessary." 


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here