SACRAMENTO � That raspy sound of knives sharpening can mean only one thing: It’s budget season again in Sacramento, a time for lawmakers to carve their political agendas, cut others’ pet projects and yes, occasionally stab each other in the back.
This year, the judiciary’s prized entree at the Legislature’s budget carving station is the judges’ pension system, known as JRSII. And budget masters in the Assembly and state Senate can’t seem to agree on whether to dish out an improved retirement program or ice proposed changes for another year.
