Schweitzer Proposes Aggressive Pension Fix

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Gov. Brian Schweitzer is proposing an aggressive public pension fix as he nears the end of his term.

The projected shortfall for the state's government worker pension system exceeds $3 billion over the next 30 years.

Schweitzer is calling for employees and their public employers to each increase their contributions an additional 1 percent of the salary paid. His plan would also funnel some revenue from natural resource development into the pensions.

An influential union leader says employees would agree to pay more to fix the problem.

Schweitzer leaves office in December. His proposed fix would go to a state Legislature in January that may be controlled by Republicans hostile to some of his past proposals.

The Democratic governor thinks the problem is so large that lawmakers will support it.