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TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — Republican New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's administration says a judge got it wrong when she ordered the state to put $1.6 billion more into public workers' pension funds.
Christie's administration says in an appellate brief filed Tuesday that the judge "fabricated a constitutional right to pension funding" in a ruling issued in February
Superior Court Judge Mary Jacobson said the state had to honor a 2011 promise to ramp up its contributions over seven years to make up for skipped or decreased payments.
Christie said last year the state couldn't afford to pay what was agreed then, about $2.25 billion.
Christie's administration and the nonpartisan Office of Legislative Services say it would be painful for residents if an additional $1.6 billion must be found by June 30.
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