STATEMENT FROM THE GOVERNOR ON THE
DISMISSAL OF PENSION CONTRIBUTION LAWSUIT

TRENTON – The Superior Court of New Jersey today dismissed a lawsuit brought against the State by the New Jersey Education Association which would have the New Jersey to fully fund pension contributions dating back to Fiscal Year 2004. Governor Corzine today issued the following statement in response to the court’s decision.

“I’m pleased with the court’s decision and recognition of the fact that this administration has taken the responsible course with regards to pension fund contributions. In fact, contributions to the state pension fund made by my administration are greater than all of the cash contributions made over the previous ten years combined.

“The court has made it clear that this decision should not be construed as a “green light” to under fund the system to the point where its integrity would be in jeopardy.

“Still, the fact remains that every year New Jersey faces tremendous financial obligations including school aid, municipal aid, employee benefits, transportation funding, property tax relief, hospital funding and pension contributions not to mention our $32 billion debt and the ever increasing debt service payments that it requires.

“My administration will continue to make responsible contributions to the pension fund, but until we deal with the state’s massive debt and ever increasing debt service payments, pension contributions will continue to face increased competition for state dollars.”

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Photos from Governor Corzine's public events are available in the
Governor's Newsroom section on the State of New Jersey web page.