public services

• Illinois pension revamp faces first legislative test

  By Regina Garcia Cano and Sophia Tareen  |  January 7, 2013

  An attempt at solving Illinois' worst-in-the-nation pension problem faces its first test Monday as a House committee considers a plan calling for more employee contributions and freezing cost-of-living increases for retirees.

• In polarized nation, Iowa finds itself oddly split

  By Thomas Beaumont  |  December 26, 2012

  Republicans and Democrats in state capitals across the country are talking ambitiously about what they'll do next year with the unchecked power they amassed in the fall elections. In more states than not, one party now has full control of government.

• Cities cut jobs, infrastructure

  By Amanda McGrory-Dixon  |  September 14, 2012

  City revenues are falling because of financial troubles caused by infrastructure, health care and pension costs, leading to job cuts, delayed infrastructure project and reduced local services, according to a new report by the National League of Cities.

• Conservatives work to cull moderate Republicans

  By JOHN HANNA, Associated Press  |  July 30, 2012

  Frustrated conservatives in Kansas are turning against the moderate members of their own party, disappointed the state has not adopted a 401(k)-style plan for teachers.

• Contrarian report says total public pension debt exceeds $4.6 trillion

  By Andy Stonehouse  |  July 18, 2012

  A nonprofit calling for state finance reform has done its own math and suggests total unfunded pension liabilities at the state and local level top $4.6 trillion.

• California voters overwhelmingly support retirement benefit cuts

  By Elliot Spagat  |  June 6, 2012

  Voters in San Diego and San Jose favored cuts to public retirement plan benefits, a move supporters say will lead to other national ballot initiatives.

• Pa. Senate approves alternative to gov's budget

  By Peter Jackson  |  May 11, 2012

  Corbett defended his austere approach to running the state government and said the state must conserve its revenue to pay for the ever-spiraling bill for public employee pensions.

• Pa. Senate approves alternative to gov's budget

  By Peter Jackson  |  May 10, 2012

  Corbett said the state must conserve its revenue to pay for the ever-spiraling bill for public employee pensions.

• Giant pension fund expects lower investment return

  By Judy Lin  |  March 15, 2012

  The nation's largest public pension fund lowered its forecast Wednesday for investment returns and asked the state of California, school districts and local governments to increase contributions — a move that could siphon more money from basic services.

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  Hawaii is America’s healthiest place

  By Kathryn Mayer  |  February 28, 2012

  Just yet another reason Hawaii seems like a dream place to live: Hawaii has the highest score for “well-being,” according to the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index, a poll that surveys the physical, mental and emotional health of Americans.