HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania's approach to a looming spike in pension obligations for state and public school employees should include a discussion of reducing the cost of current workers' future benefits, even if it means challenging state constitutional law that has traditionally protected such benefits, a top state lawmaker said Monday.

The $1.1 billion the state is paying for pensions this year is scheduled to rise to $4.3 billion in five years. The obligation will triple for school districts over the same period.

Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Jake Corman, R-Centre, said that pension changes "absolutely, positively" have to happen and that he hopes a plan will be in place with the annual state budget that is to be assembled one year from now.