New York Governor Andrew Cuomo says he'll require his pension reform plans to be part of the state budget, pressing a cause that's important enough to risk a shutdown of state government.
Cuomo says his plan to reduce skyrocketing costs of pensions for state and local governments is a seminal issue for his administration. The changes include a 401(k) option and would apply to new hires.
He could refuse to accept a budget without pension reform. Once the budget passes the April 1 due date, he could then include the changes in an emergency "extender'' budget bill.
The Legislature would then be faced with either accepting the plan, or refusing to pass the extender bill and shutting down government.
There is opposition to the changes in the Legislature.