An Assembly committee has approved a measure to let voters weigh in on whether New Jersey's constitution should be changed to mandate how the state makes public pension contributions.
The Democrat-led Assembly Judiciary Committee approved the legislation Monday over opposition from Republicans, including Gov. Chris Christie.
If approved by voters, the measure would require the state to make the public pension payment quarterly. The state currently makes a payment once per year, according to the governor's budget.
The Democrat-led Legislature passed the same measure in the previous session. Voters would decide the question in November if both chambers approve the legislation again this year.
Christie opposes the idea, arguing it puts pensions ahead of every other priority in the state's nearly $34 billion budget.