A proposal to change collective bargaining rules as they relate to pension calculations and longevity payments passed the Senate with bipartisan support, but a similar measure fell far short in the House.
House Republican lawmakers -- knowing that the bill's chances of coming up for a vote in that chamber were slim to none -- offered up an amendment that would have done essentially the same thing. It would have capped longevity payments at current levels and scrapped them altogether for new hires. it would have also eliminated the practice of using overtime pay to calculate pensions.
Supporters of such provisions, including Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, say it would put the state on a sounder fiscal footing in coming years.
"Anyone who believes this is the only downturn were going to have, I think is living in a very naive world,'' said Rep. Bill Aman, R-South Windsor. "While this may not have a direct impact in the next two years, I think it does set a tone and a standard going forward that will allow the governor and the legislature to better control costs.''
Zeke Zalaski, a Democrat from Southington who co-chairs the legislature's labor committee, urged rejection of the amendment, saying members will have ample opportunity to ponder the matter when the bill approved by the Senate reaches the House.
But House Republican Leader Larry Cafero noted that may never happen. "Why would we turn this amendment down and wait for the bill from the Senate to come down when there have been widespread reports that we might not take it up at this time?"" he asked.
Cafero said it would save a lot of time if the House simply approved the amendment.
But the measure failed by a vote of 50 to 84.