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The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

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Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

PA House Returns Monday for Vote on Pension Reform

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Monday, November 15, 2010   

HARRISBURG, Pa. - Pennsylvania state House members return to Harrisburg today to vote on a plan that would reform the state's pension system. Supporters say House Bill 2497 will protect Pennsylvania from a situation looming in 2012, when there won't be enough money in the system to pay retirees their pensions.

Bill Bacon, legislative director of Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 668, which represents some state workers, says the measure addresses downturns on Wall Street that contributed to the shortfall in the first place.

"It smooths a manageable payment plan for the Commonwealth, and there's language that allows for a risk-sharing program between all the parties, should such a poor market performance occur again."

Bacon says Pennsylvania can't afford to lose the state's pension system. It's a good lure to attract a work force whose members could in many cases make more money doing similar jobs in the private sector.

"This benefit is an attractive way for the Commonwealth to recruit and maintain Commonwealth employees."

Passage of the measure would offer a different landscape to incoming Governor Tom Corbett. He's been in favor of moving away from a traditional pension system to a defined contribution plan that more closely resembles a 401K.

"What's going to have to happen with, not only Governor Corbett but other public employee executives and their employees, is that they're going to need to work together to reduce the liability of these pension systems."

The amended bill calls for creation of a legislative fiscal office that some say is unconstitutional. Opponents also argue that the bill will mean escalating repayment costs in the next 30 years on the money being borrowed to meet pension expenses.

The union contends the measure saves taxpayers money, by shifting costs to pensioners who'll pay more into the system early on and work longer in order to take their pensions without a penalty.





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