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Rhode Island Seeks Settlement in Pension Reform Case

A Superior Court judge has set a timeline to move forward with a settlement in the court case over the state pension overhaul.

A Superior Court judge has set a timeline to move forward with a settlement in the court case over the state pension overhaul.
 
The agreement still needs approval from the General Assembly, and it would not completely end the long-running legal dispute.
 
The special master in the pension case, former State Supreme Court Chief Justice Frank Williams, says about 60,000 active and retired public employees will be covered by the settlement. Williams says about 800 police officers and firefighters did not agree, so a court challenge by these two smaller groups may move forward.
 
Williams delivered his report in court to the Superior Court judge who has presided over the pension case, Sarah Taft-Carter, but he declined to speak with reporters outside of court.
 
The state sweetened a prior settlement offer with more frequent cost of living increases for pensioners and a minor decrease in retirement ages.
 
Governor Gina Raimondo, who spearheaded the overhaul of the state pension system as state treasurer in 2011, praised the settlement.
 
"This proposed settlement is an important step toward providing certainty for our public employees and our cities and towns, and I believe it is in the best interest of all Rhode Islanders. The proposal keeps our state on a path toward financial stability," she said,

 

Caroline Cournoyer is GOVERNING's senior web editor.
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