House, Senate at Odds over Pension Bill Funding

A Senate committee has greatly reduced the state revenue earmarked in a proposed funding measure for municipal police and fire pension programs, The Associated Press reports.

"The Senate Pensions Committee significantly revamped a House bill aimed at relieving cities’ pensions, reducing $9 million in new aid to roughly $2.6 million," AP's Tom Breen reports. "The committee also removed the $6 million in funds the House sought for volunteer firefighter benefits, substituting a provision to permit volunteer departments to raise money privately."

The changes have already spurred angry reaction from supporters of the House approach. Others with coverage include the Herald-Dispatch of Huntington, MetroNews, the Charleston Daily Mail and The Charleston Gazette.