Republicans Challenge Democrats On Pension Reform

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Republican lawmakers are challenging Gov. Jerry Brown to get Democratic support for the pension reforms he introduced four months ago.

GOP leaders in the Senate and Assembly on Wednesday announced a package of bills identical to the Democratic governor's proposal, which seeks to bring public-sector retirement benefits more in line with those in the private sector.

Senate Minority Leader Bob Huff of Diamond Bar calls Brown's plan "a good start" to reforming the system.

Last year, Brown offered pension reforms in exchange for Republican support to put tax measures on the ballot, but the two sides failed to strike a deal.

In October, the governor called for putting new state workers in a hybrid plan that includes a 401(k)-style vehicle, increasing the retirement age and having workers contribute more.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.