The North Jersey Record gives some more details on the lawsuit filed by NJASA against the State for unconstitutionally infringing on its members’ right to negotiate contracts. Judge Joel A. Pisano of U.S. District Court delayed any court ruling until October 3d in the hopes that the two sides will come to a resolution. From the Record:

In District Court on Wednesday, Judge Joel A. Pisano called the case “a very hot issue,” referring to taxpayers’ anger about the severance deals.

“The perception, correct or incorrect, is that the store is being given away,” Pisano said.

He said he would delay any ruling until at least Oct. 3, his deadline for both sides to reach an agreement.
“I’m uneasy because it seems to me however I rule, the problem is not solved,” he said.

True enough. This whole uproar stems from one poorly negotiated contract — the Keansburg case — and the State seems to have forgotten that bad cases make bad case law.