• Stockton Bankruptcy Sets Stage for Pension Battle
• BY: Liz Farmer   |   April 1, 2013
• Some say the ruling in Stockton, Calif.'s case could lead to a U.S. Supreme Court decision on how bankrupt cities deal with their pension liabilities.

• Pension Reform Success Stories
• BY: Liz Farmer   |   April 2013
• Most states and many municipalities have passed some kind of pension reform in recent years, but only a few did so in a way that addresses the immediate unfunded liability of their plans.
• 6 Comments

• The Trouble with GASB
• BY: Liz Farmer   |   March 28, 2013
• In the world of public finance, a long-running debate over what’s included in state and local financial statements is reaching new heights.
• 1 Comments

• Can Illinois Seal the Deal on Pension Reform?
• BY: McClatchy News   |   Illinois   |   March 25, 2013
• Legislators have moved slowly so far on the issue of pension reform. After a successful House vote last week, can lawmakers keep the momentum going?

• Illinois House Passes Pension Reform
• BY: Liz Farmer   |   Illinois   |   March 22, 2013
• House lawmakers in Illinois have passed the first step toward significant reform of the state's woefully underfunded pension system, but the controversial move would limit cost-of-living increases.

• SEC Stepping Up Enforcement Against States, Cities
• BY: Liz Farmer   |   March 20, 2013
• Last week, Illinois was only the second state to ever be accused of securities fraud -- but it may not be the last. The SEC's head of municipal securities wants to increase its enforcement.

• S&P: Christie's Budget for New Jersey Relies on Uncertain Revenues
• BY: Liz Farmer   |   New Jersey   |   March 15, 2013
• A major ratings agency cast doubt over New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie’s proposed 2014 budget this week, saying that the Republican’s forecasts were too ambitious and relied on “new and untested revenues” to balance the ledger.

• California Unions File Lawsuits over Pension Reforms
• BY: McClatchy News   |   California   |   March 11, 2013
• The overhaul raised the retirement age and lowered the benefits for public employees hired as of Jan. 1 of this year. It also changed the way pensions are calculated, which slices into benefits for workers who were on the job before then.
• 3 Comments

• SEC Charges Illinois with Securities Fraud
• BY: Liz Farmer   |   Illinois   |   March 11, 2013
• Illinois is only the second state to ever be accused of securities fraud. According to the SEC, the state misled investors about its underfunded pension system.
• 5 Comments

• 4 Myths About Public Pension Retirees
• BY: Liz Farmer   |   March 8, 2013
• As pension reform debates continue, retiree advocates offer up a few common misconceptions about pensioners.
• 62 Comments

• Labor Strike in Illinois State Government Avoided
• BY: Stateline   |   Illinois   |   March 4, 2013
• A dramatic standoff between Illinois’ largest state-employee union and Democratic Governor Pat Quinn ended last Thursday morning with a tentative contract agreement after more than 15 months of negotiations.

• New Rules Could Clear the Path to Pension Reform
• BY: Charles Chieppo   |   March 2013
• For most states, the new government accountability rules eliminate the main substantive barrier to moving toward less costly defined-contribution plans.
• 2 Comments

• The 'B' Word: Is Municipal Bankruptcy's Stigma Fading?
• BY: Liz Farmer   |   March 2013
• There's a growing sense among some leaders that municipal bankruptcy -- unthinkable just a few years ago -- may be a valuable tool.
• 5 Comments

• Pennsylvania Governor's Pension Proposal Faces Challenges
• Source: AP/Philadelphia Inquirer   |   Pennsylvania   |   February 28, 2013
• The Republican governor's proposal to reduce benefits for current employees is the centerpiece of his initiative. But it faces an uphill fight in the legislature and possibly in the courts.