A fight over public pensions in Rhode Island is about to come to a head in the Legislature, with lawmakers scheduled to vote Thursday on a landmark overhaul that has angered public-sector workers in this tiny and economically troubled state.

Resounding voter support this week for pension reform measures in San Francisco and Modesto offered some reassurance to leaders of other California cities also struggling to deal with ever-tightening budgets partly due to the costs of generous retirement plans for their employees.

The IRS and the Department of Treasury are requesting comments on possible standards for determining if a retirement plan is a governmental plan under section 414(d) of the Internal Revenue Code.