The Senate and Assembly each spent more than an hour debating a plan that's been in the making for more than a year. It would make major changes to the state's under-funded pension system by increasing retirement ages, capping salaries on which pensions can be based, and ending abuses. Democratic Assembly member Warren Furutani authored the legislation.
"This is good public policy," said Furutani. "It's something that's getting us way down the road, it's not the end-all be-all, those of you that are going to be here next year are going to have more work to do I urge an aye vote."
But Republicans like Assembly Member Jim Nielsen complained that the legislation doesn't go far enough and was hastily drafted.
"This is the legislature at its worst, last minute scrambling around on a major, major issue," said Nielsen.
Some GOP lawmakers voted yes anyway. Others voted no or abstained.
