The nation's financial downturn left many states in such a precarious position that they were forced this year to make tough decisions on expensive but long-untouchable public employee benefits.

When Connecticut lawmakers return to the state Capitol on Thursday, not only will they be asked to grant Gov. Dannel P. Malloy greater budget-cutting authority, now that state employees have defeated a labor-savings and concessions deal, but to also scale back some of the workers' future benefit

A newly released audit that criticizes oversight of the Kentucky's $13 billion pension fund could provide the impetus needed to get the legislature to act.

The New Jersey Assembly passed landmark legislation Thursday that requires public employees to pay more for pension and health benefits.