Massachusetts Governor lays out pension reforms

"It's plain to us and plain, I think, to everybody, that the abuses and loopholes in the system are discrediting the system and distracting from the good work of state government and, frankly, just making everybody mad," Patrick said in an afternoon press briefing at his State House office. "That has to end, and it has to end now."

One House leader said the only way pension reform could help with the immediate budget crisis, which has lawmakers grappling with a deficit exceeding $1 billion for the current fiscal year, would be to put off some payments into the pension system, an option that, though it carries its own issues of fiscal responsibility, will be discussed.

"There's a desire to get some savings moving forward," said state Representative Robert P. Spellane, House chairman of the joint committee on public service, which will hold its first hearing on pension reform next Monday. "I would be hesitant to change the funding schedule, but to some degree I need to be responsive to the concerns of the Legislature."

Altering the pension schedule is something lawmakers are considering, but it was not included in Patrick's proposals yesterday.