PHOENIX – Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey has signed legislation overhauling the state’s badly underfunded public safety worker pension plan.
Tuesday’s signing comes after the Legislature spent the past two weeks debating and making small changes to the proposal negotiated between police and fire unions, their employers and lawmakers before approving the overhaul.
Voters need to approve part of the proposal because it changes benefits for current employees. A separate referral places it on the May 17 special election ballot.
The Senate approved the legislation unanimously. Ten Republicans voted against the three bills in the House.
Ducey called the overhaul “a bipartisan, well-informed and meaningful plan that will protect our taxpayers while providing a sustainable pension system.”