No Deal Yet on Teacher Pension Merger

Gov. Joe Manchin tells The Associated Press that while he "may still ask lawmakers to merge state teacher pension funds before they leave town this weekend," he "remained reluctant Thursday to commit state money to the deal."

"The governor believes that requiring the state to pay implies fault for the insufficient investment returns suffered within the 401(k)-style Teachers Defined Contribution program," AP reports.

The Charleston Gazette, meanwhile picks up on a focus by some lawmakers of some of the pensions generated by state-run programs. They include the Teachers Retirement System, which enrollees in TDC would be given a chance to join with the proposal under debate within the administration.