State lawmakers proposes pension reforms

By Eileen Buckley

Buffalo, NY – Skyrocketing pension costs continue to crush state, county and city spending. But one State lawmaker believes he has a solution. Western New York Republican Assemblyman Jack Quinn is proposing a bold new pension reform plan.

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Quinn says unless the state and local government adopt these kind of reforms, jobs will be lost and New York State will not be a desirable place for future business.

Assemblyman Jack Quinn says it is time for pension relief. He's proposing a seven point pension reform plan. Quinn says one of the most important changes he is proposed calls to adopt the same public employee pension benefits model already utilized by the CUNY/SUNY Retirement plan.

But on the controversial side of his proposal it would make significant pension changes for police and fire. Quinn's proposed reforms would also remove overtime from police and firefighter pensions. Quinn admits that could be a tough sell to the unions.

Quinn says unless the state and local government adopt these kind of reforms, jobs will be lost and New York State will not be a desirable place for future business.

Andrew Rudnick is president and CEO of the Buffalo Niagara Partnership. His business organization is in full support of pension reforms. Rudnick says without the changes, difficult steps will need to be taken.

Rudnick says the role of government has shifted to employing more workers instead of providing more services. Rudnick says the role of government has shifted to employing more workers instead of providing more services.