State pension case goes to NJ Supreme Court

The New Jersey Supreme Court has agreed to take over the case contesting the Christie administration’s payments into the state workers’ pension system.

The court Monday agreed to hear the administration’s appeal of a lower court’s decision that the state had broken the law when it scaled back promised payments into the system following a 2011 deal.

Superior Court Judge Mary Jacobson ruled in February the state had to honor the 2011 promise and directed lawmakers to come up with the nearly $1.6 billion that remained outstanding.

Christie’s administration and the nonpartisan Office of Legislative Services say it would be painful for residents if the state had to come up with the money by end of June.

Arguments have been set for May 6.