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WPRO News and the Associated Press, reporting by Steve Klamkin WPRO News
Lawyers for the state told a judge on Friday that they have a constitutional right to a jury trial in the lawsuit brought over the state’s landmark pension reform.
The attorneys appeared before Superior Court Judge Sarah Taft-Carter in Newport. Public-sector unions and retirees have sued over the law, which was designed to save Rhode Island $4 billion over the next 20 years by reining in pension costs.
The state’s lawyer John Tarantino said juries are uniquely designed to determine cases with disputed facts that involve claims for monetary compensation, such as this one.
“Our Supreme Court has said if there is any doubt then the scale tips to right-to-trial by jury,” said Tarantino.
Tarantino pointed to several case as proof that the state has a right to a jury.
Attorney for retirees Carly Iafrate said the court can use its discretion to put the law back the way it was and it would be premature to send the case to a jury.
Judge Taft-Carter did not indicate when she would rule.
