Gazette: State commission recommends shifting half of teacher pension costs to local governments

Panel asks for extension on its report until October

A state commission voted Monday to recommend that the governor and legislature begin shifting some costs of teacher pensions to local jurisdictions.

The recommendation by the Public Employees' and Retirees Benefit Sustainability Commission, which has been analyzing the state's pension liability since September, would split pension and Social Security costs evenly between the state and local governments. The panel also is recommending that the cost sharing be phased in over three years...