UPDATED: Legislature Overwhelmingly Backs Judicial Pension Amendment; Assembly GOP Accuses Dems of Shutting Down Debate?

The State House in Trenton, New Jersey.

Update #3 – 2:15 p.m.

In a stange twist to an otherwise harmonious session, Assembly Republican Leader Jon Bramnick (R-Union, Morris and Somerset) is accusing Assembly Democrats of cutting off debate on SCR-110 and barring many Republican members from weighing in on the floor:

Limiting debate by public officials in the Legislature sets a dangerous precedent. We each represent over 200,000 constituents who deserve a voice, especially during a debate on a constitutional amendment. Many Republican members were not permitted to speak, including Assemblywoman Donna Simon, a prime sponsor of the resolution who happens to have a special election this year. I hope that in the future, discussions on important issues are not shut down.”

If true, I hope this incident reminds my Republicans friends under the Dome that the Democrats are NOT your friends. “Frenemies” at best. Usually something much worse from the taxpayer perspective.

Update #2 – 1:45 p.m.

Governor Christie offered the following statement a short time ago…

Rarely has the public seen such unanimity between the legislative and executive branches that the judicial branch was dead wrong. I congratulate the legislature for their decisive, bipartisan action that lives up to the promiseof our historical pension and benefit reform by making sure everyone is treated fairly.  I pledge to do all I can this fall to ensure passage of this amendment to our constitution and truly believe that New Jersey voters will deliver the same message of fairness to the judiciary as well.”

Governor Christie has promised to stump in support of the amendment question ahead of his fall’s election.

Update #1 – 1:15 p.m.

In a rare show of bipartisan unity, the New Jersey State Legislature overwhelmingly backed a constitutional amendment today that would force judicial pensions to conform to Governor Chris Christie’s recent reforms affecting the rest of the state workforce.

The vote was 62-3 in the Assembly and 28-0 in the State Senate.

SCR-110 is a direct response to last week’s Supreme Court ruling exempting sitting judges from the new rules. New Jersey voters will make their own decision this November when the question is on their ballot.

Assemblyman Gary Chiusano (R-Sussex, Warren and Morris) summed up what appeared to be the entire legislature’s sentiments on the topic:

The action taken by both houses of the Legislature today is a prime example of government at its very best. The court had its opportunity to have its say on this issue and they got it wrong. Now the citizens of New Jersey will have their voices heard in November and rightly so as they are the ones who pay the costs for the very generous retirement benefits members of the judiciary receive. I have every confidence the public will cast their votes for true ‘shared sacrifice’ as is the law’s intent.”

 

Matt Rooney
About Matt Rooney 8403 Articles
MATT ROONEY is SaveJersey.com's founder and editor-in-chief, a practicing New Jersey attorney, and the host of 'The Matt Rooney Show' on 1210 WPHT every Sunday evening from 7-10PM EST.

7 Comments

  1. "The court had its opportunity to have its say on this issue and they got it wrong."

    They certainly did.

  2. Note to the Judiciary: Just because your profession is "the law" you are not "above the law."

    1) The Legislative Branch needs to move swiftly and draft the legislation that will stop this pension grab by the judiciary in its tracks.

    2) If the Judiciary Committee wants to play games with Gov. Christie's appointments to the State Supreme Court, then I hope the governor appoints a judge when the legislature is in break.

    3) What I said in Number 1 applies to the Demon — eh, Democrats that serve on the judiciary committee. You are not above the law either — and you are over-stepping your Constitutional authority by blocking qualified candidates to the State Supreme Court.

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