New Jersey Justice Quizzes Chris Christie Pension Law 'Bait And Switch'
TRENTON, N.J., May 6 (Reuters) - A lawyer for New Jersey Governor Chris Christie's administration was asked on Wednesday by a state Supreme Court justice whether it was doing a "bait and switch" by arguing that a 2011 pension reform law Christie championed was unconstitutional.
The administration and labor unions presented oral arguments to the court in their dispute over whether it was legal for Christie to slash $1.6 billion from the state's 2015 pension contribution. At issue is Christie's opposition to the bipartisan 2011 law he promoted at the time.
"Is that some sort of bait and switch?" Justice Barry Albin asked Assistant Attorney General Jean Reilly, who represented the state.
The seven justices questioned whether the state's debt limitation and appropriation clauses trumped its obligation to make contributions, as argued by Reilly.
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Christie, a possible 2016 Republican presidential candidate, cut the payment last year because of a revenue shortfall. If the justices reject the state's arguments, it could be a blow to Christie's presidential aspirations and the state's finances.
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