[1Old Pro]

In his statement, the Republican governor cited the failure of legislators to deliver measures reshaping the retirement systems for state and public school workers. He cited the rising costs of pensions under current law.

Defined benefit programs have lavish payouts given the underfunding. THis goes for state workers, police and fire, etc. People are working 25 years and retiring for 40 or 50 years at almost full pay as they jack up their final 3 to artificially spike their retirement - it's a house of cards and never should have been allowed. All public sector employees should save themselves in a 401k like the rest of the people. The union retirees are laughing it up in Florida at 50 years old - the new elite.

[knarf]

I'm no financial wizard and I don't know what the answer is, but I DO know more tax money is NOT the answer.

I've stated before (asked the superintendent in public) ... if I give you a hundred dollars will you be better in math than before I give you money ?

Everyone chuckled ... except me.

I will not throw money into a failed 'education' system that does nothing to educate.

Personally, I think after learning to read, write/compose/understand English and get your one plus ones and gazinta's and memorize the multiplication table .... everything else is just expanding your world horizon.

[AppyPappy]

The pension was a carrot to entice employees from corporations. If they eliminate the pension, they have to jack up the salaries.

In Virginia, we have to pay into the pension system. 5% of gross pay goes into VRS.