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GOP Bill: Public Employees Contribute More Toward Pensions

By Bruce Hagevik, NewsRadio 830 WCCO

ST. PAUL, Minn. (WCCO) -- All public employees statewide would contribute more toward their pensions under a bill introduced by Republican State Sen. Gretchen Hoffman of Vergas.

NewsRadio 830 WCCO's Bruce Hagevik Reports

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"It's about what we need to do in the state of Minnesota to keep the state afloat," said Hoffman.

Public employees would put in three percent more under the proposed bill. Hoffman said it would save the state about $50 million in the first two years.

But there's strong opposition from the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees union.

"It's a diversion from the fact that the richest Minnesotans aren't paying their fair share of taxes," said executive director of AFSCME Eliot Seide.

DFL lawmakers joined state labor leaders in opposing the idea. Hoffman said she has plenty of support in the Republican-controlled state legislature.

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