N.J. judge says no to health insurance hike
For a second time, Gov. Christie's proposition to increase judges' health insurance contributions has failed.
A state court judge has ruled against Gov. Christie's administration for a second time in a lawsuit over whether the state can increase judges' health insurance and pension contributions.
Mercer County Superior Court Judge Linda Feinberg ruled Wednesday that New Jersey cannot increase judges' contributions while the case proceeds.
Last week, Feinberg sided with Hudson County Superior Court Judge Paul DePascale, who sued the state over its pension and benefits overhaul.
DePascale argued that the increases would diminish his salary. He said that violated a state constitutional provision against decreasing judges' wages.
The state sought to collect the higher pension contributions while Christie's administration appealed the ruling, which challenges one of the governor's landmark accomplishments.
Christie, who often criticizes New Jersey's judges for trying to make laws rather than merely interpret them, has accused Feinberg of acting in her own self-interest.
He has called for a constitutional amendment that would make the case moot, though that is unlikely to gain traction in a Legislature controlled by Democrats.
Christie's spokesman, Michael Drewniak, did not immediately reply to an email Wednesday requesting comment.
The higher health and pension contributions, which apply to all state and local government employees, went into effect this month and have been taken out of one paycheck so far.
New Jersey judicial salaries start at $165,000. Judges pay 3 percent of their salaries toward their pensions - an amount Christie's overhaul would raise to 12 percent by 2017.
The higher biweekly pension contributions would cost most judges about $80.
Their health care expenses depend on the size of their families and the plan they select.