Threats from organized labor of a "hit list" of anyone who votes for HR 1828.
On a positive note, it seems the Pittsburgh issue is resolved; that may win some votes in the Western part of the state. This is from the Pittsburgh Tribune:
By Brad Bumsted
STATE CAPITOL REPORTER
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Buzz up!
HARRISBURG — A labor leader threatened Tuesday to compile a "hit list" of lawmakers who would be targeted for defeat if they support pension legislation that unions say would destroy collective bargaining.
As hundreds of police, firefighters and other municipal workers rallied yesterday at the Capitol urging defeat of House Bill 1828, legislative leaders scrambled to draft a compromise measure that House members can consider when they vote Thursday.
"People who vote for H.B. 1828 need to be on notice. They're on our hit list," Bill George, president of Pennsylvania AFL-CIO, told workers at the rally.
"Coming from South Philadelphia, I know a little bit about hit lists," said Rep. Bill Keller, D-Philadelphia. "The hit list you do not want to be on is Bill George's hit list."
An effort is under way to strike a compromise on statewide pension legislation, which would balance concerns raised by organized labor and provide relief for underfunded municipal pension systems, lawmakers said.
"It's my understanding the four caucuses are working on amendment," said Sen. Jay Costa, D-Forest Hills, referring to leaders of both parties in the House and Senate.
The amendment would include a two-year exemption from state takeover for Pittsburgh, said Costa, ranking Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee.
"We've got everybody trying to get together on a consensus document," said Johnna Pro, spokeswoman for House Appropriations Committee Chairman Dwight Evans, D-Philadelphia.
The bill proposes an extra 1 percent sales tax in Philadelphia to help it address fiscal problems. The measure also would place pension funds with less than half the assets needed to cover liabilities under the Pennsylvania Municipal Retirement System. In its present form, the bill is "dead in the House," said Rep. Dan Frankel, D-Squirrel Hill.
Joe King, president of International Association of Fire Fighters Local No. 1 in Pittsburgh, said Pennsylvania voters four decades ago gave police and firefighters the right of collective bargaining.
"This takes away those rights. That's what's wrong," King said.
The legislation would freeze benefits and allow defined contribution plans for new pension members.
"The question: 'Is there some middle ground?'" Frankel said. "There might be some softening of the provisions for organized labor."
The House approved the bill in July as fiscal relief for Philadelphia. Two weeks ago, the Senate amended the measure to include statewide reform of municipal pension systems.
The Pittsburgh exemption "is pretty well resolved," Frankel said. "The question is all the pension-reform language in the Senate amendment."
"Everybody's gong to have to give a little bit — including organized labor," Frankel said.
Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter is poised to lay off thousands of city workers — including police officers — if the sales tax isn't approved. His supporters fear the Senate might not approve the bill if the Senate amendment is stripped from the measure.
"We do not believe H.B. 1828 can pass in the Senate without including pension reforms," said Erik Arneson, spokesman for Senate Republicans. "... Any change to that compromise will require careful analysis by the Senate, and may result in substantial delays, additional amendments, or even non-passage of the bill."
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