NJ cops defend pensions

The union representing law enforcement officers in New Jersey has a message for state lawmakers: pay us what you owe us.

Fearing another tough budget year will mean further underfunding for police and firefighters' pensions, a law enforcement officers union sued Wednesday to force New Jersey to pay for years of shortchanging their retirement system.

The suit, filed in state Superior Court in Trenton, aims to make the state pay the full amount it owes the pension system for this year and years past. That could mean $3 billion to $4 billion, according to New Jersey Law Enforcement Supervisors Association President Tom Moran.

"Do we work for Enron here? Or do we work for the state of New Jersey?" Moran asked. "Because if we worked for Enron, people would be going to jail for what they're doing to our pensions."