The Senate Budget Committee voted Friday to take $500 million over the next five years from extra payments into the state pension system to balance the budget this year and for the next four.
Read MoreThe Senate Budget and Taxation Committee voted Thursday to cut $100 million in contributions to the State Retirement and Pension System for fiscal 2014. The committee tied the unexpected move to passage of legislation that will eventually ensure the state puts aside enough money for employee and teachers pensions. But the cut also adds a year to achieving long-term funding goals for those pensions.
Read MoreMore than a hundred people rallied outside the State House Monday night as they urged lawmakers to expand the collective bargaining rights of state employees.
Read MoreThe Judicial Compensation Commission is recommending practically no changes to judges’ pensions, except for an increase in contributions by new judges. But the largest state employees union asked the Senate budget committee Wednesday to consider broader changes to judicial retirement benefits to bring them more in line with retirement benefits for the average state worker.
Read MoreMembers of the Save Our State Coalition are hoping that putting problems caused by tight budgets on display will encourage the legislature to raise taxes. Gov. Martin O’Malley began talking about a one-cent sales tax increase he may be proposing, his first mention of such an increase.
Read MoreMembers of the General Assembly who voted on new prescription drug plans for retirees saw them as a way to save the state money. But some retirees say the changes could be financially devastating.
Read MoreMore than 100 members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees came to Annapolis on Wednesday to lobby the 428th General Assembly for their No. 1 priority: preserving the health and pension benefits they have.
AFSCME is the largest union for state employees. Legislative director Sue Esty said that with several proposals circulating to make cuts in pension and health benefits – as well as recent furloughs, pay cuts and hiring freezes – the union members want to make sure they set the right tone for this General Assembly session.
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