Update: General Assembly Passes Pension Reform

Both houses of the Rhode Island General Assembly opened full sessions this afternoon to consider bills that will, according to state General Treasurer Gina Rainomdo and its supporters, make much-needed changes to the state's retirement system. 

The State Senate passed the pension reform bill 34-2. Senator Marc A. Cote (D - District 24, Woonsocket, North Smithfield) and Senator Roger A. Picard (D - District 20, Woonsocket, Cumberland) voted yes on the legislation.

After some extended debate, the House of Representatives also approved the bill with a vote of 57-15. Rep. Lisa Baldelli-Hunt (D-District 49, Woonsocket,) Rep. Robert Phillips (D- District 51, Woonsocket,) and Rep. Jon Brien (D- District 50, Woonsocket) all approved the legislation. Although 27 potential amendments were heard on the House floor today, including several brought forward by Baldelli-Hunt, none ultimately passed. 

The Finance Committees of the House and Senate separately approved the bills — House Bill 2011-H-6319 and Senate Bill 2011-S-1111 — on Nov. 10, and forwarded them for votes by each chamber.

Each chamber also approved the other's version of the bill, making the reform officially a law.

After sometimes-contentious hearings at the end of October and beginning of November, union leaders told a joint meeting of the House and Senate Finance Committees that the proposed reforms amounted to "draconian" measures, with firefighters union spokesman Paul Valetta charging Raimondo with "cooking the books" to make the situation look more dire than it is.

In testimony before the joint committee on Nov. 1, Raimondo told legislators that the reforms are needed for the long-term health of the pension system.

"This bill will solve the problem once and for all. If we don't do this comprehensively enough, we'll be back here in two or three years," Raimondo said.

"Hopefully everyone is at least amendable to what needed to be done," said Rep. Phillips of the process.