Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande congratulated voters who overwhelmingly approved a ballot question requiring judges to pay reasonable amounts toward their health and pension benefits like every other public employee.

The question was supported by more than 80 percent of voters according to unofficial results.

“The case is closed and the people have clearly ruled that the judges are not above the law,” Casagrande, R-Monmouth, said. “Voters have balanced the scales of justice so that all public employees are participating equally in the historic and bipartisan benefits reform that will save property taxpayers more than $120 billion.”

After judges filed suit claiming they were Constitutionally exempt from paying more toward their benefits, Casagrande introduced legislation in 2011 to close the legal loophole.

“This is a matter of fairness to taxpayers and public employees who have been paying their fair share,” Casagrande said. “We no longer have an elite class getting exorbitant benefits that taxpayers cannot afford.”
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