LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska lawmakers on Tuesday overrode Gov. Dave Heineman's veto of a public-employee retirement bill, holding in place a deal that was struck to shore up the retirement plans of teachers, judges and state patrol troopers.
The 32-1 vote came one day after Heineman, a Republican, criticized the measure as an unfair increase for state taxpayers. Supporters of the bill argued that failing to pass it would only postpone tough decisions on the state's unfunded, $2.2 billion pension liability.
The bill holds a nearly 10 percent contribution rate for teachers, reduces benefits for new hires, and increases the state's contribution from 1 to 2 percent.
In his veto message, Heineman criticized the proposal to increase the state's contribution. He said the increase would cost the state an estimated $20 million a year — an amount that would grow over time — in addition to the roughly $20 million that the state already pays.
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