11-10-2010, 07:18 AM
All they have to do is show there is a rational basis for the distinction under the equal protection clause. One reason might be that, in the past at least, government workers made less than those in the private sector and so need a break on taxes. Admittedly, that rationale may not hold as well these days, now that all pensions are under attack by radicals who want either no pensions, or want all pensions to be gambled away in the stock market.