TRENTON, June 9, 2015—The New Jersey School Boards Association today issued the following statement in response to the state Supreme Court decision in Burgos v. State of New Jersey, which concerns the state’s contribution to the public employee pension systems under the 2011 pension and health benefits reform legislation (P.L.2011, c.78), commonly referred to as “Chapter 78.”
“Today’s Supreme Court decision relieves the state from making the scheduled payments under Chapter 78, but it does not absolve the state from the obligation to resolve a problem that can eventually break the financial stability of New Jersey,” said Dr. Lawrence S. Feinsod, NJSBA executive director.
“We need a solution that encompasses pension benefits, active employee health benefits and post-retirement medical benefits—one that does not adversely affect education programs or local property taxpayers,” he continued. “The public trust demands development of a well-thought-out, workable long-term solution to New Jersey’s pension-deficit issue.”